Luka Modric's Doctor Fulfills Musical Dream in His Eighties
Dr. Boris Nemec, longtime physician for the 'Vatreni,' turns to music after more than 15,000 surgeries and performs for the first time at Melodije hrvatskog juga.
Dr. Boris Nemec, longtime physician for the 'Vatreni,' turns to music after more than 15,000 surgeries and performs for the first time at Melodije hrvatskog juga.
The life story of Dr. Boris Nemec, one of Croatia's most respected orthopedic surgeons, proves that it's never too late to fulfill your dreams. The doctor who has been trusted with the health of numerous sports stars, including Luka Modric and Slaven Bilic, will step onto a festival stage in his eighties. His debut performance at the Melodije hrvatskog juga festival in Opuzen is scheduled for this Friday, August 7, 2026.
Throughout his illustrious career, Dr. Nemec has operated on more than 15,000 patients and served as the head physician of the Croatian national football team for 23 years. Alongside caring for the fitness of the greatest football stars, with whom he remains friends to this day, music has always been his outlet for relaxation during the most stressful periods.
The fast pace of life and successfully balancing career and family left little room for hobbies. Only recently, in his eighth decade, did he decide to fulfill a youthful dream and started playing the guitar. Through disciplined practice, he managed to master the instrument well enough to lead a song among the group that regularly gathers at a tavern in Matulji.
It was from this lively group, which includes renowned opera singer Voljen Grbac, that the idea for recording the fan song "Balun je više od života" was born. This collaboration proved to be a hit, the song won the audience award at the Marko Polo festival on Korcula.
Encouraged by public and family support, Dr. Nemec released several more songs: "Da zavoliš me," "Živi život, stari moj," and "Ti si vrilo mog života." Now, with his latest original song "Cvit što samo za me cvita", he arrives at one of the most renowned domestic festivals. The song was written by Lara and Robert Pilepić, arranged by Robert Grubišić, and the music video was directed by Sergio Cinghialle. The video was shot at stunning locations in Rovinj and Novigrad.
On the stage in Opuzen, Dr. Nemec will share the spotlight with giants of the domestic music scene such as Ibrica Jusić, Nenad Vetma, Trio Gušt, and Hrvoje Hegedušić. His story is a powerful message about the power of music, whose call one can answer regardless of age, and where motivation and the joy of living overcome all obstacles.
