Marko Pajač, Lokomotiva's left-back, is experiencing a second youth after a severe knee injury and has become one of the best players in the SuperSport HNL.
Marko Pajač, the 33-year-old left-back of Lokomotiva, was one of the key figures in his team's 3:1 victory over Gorica in the second round of the SuperSport HNL. His performance is yet another confirmation of an incredible career resurgence, which just two years ago was in serious doubt due to a severe injury.
Against Gorica, Pajač showcased the full extent of his talent and current form. Already in the 12th minute, he delivered a precise cross from the left flank to find Mirko Marić, who headed the ball in for a 1:0 lead. His influence continued in the 40th minute when his free kick caused chaos in the penalty area, and the ball ended up in the net after Gorica's Ante Kavelj deflected it into his own goal.
In the second half, specifically in the 74th minute, Pajač nearly scored one of the most beautiful goals of the early season. He attempted to surprise goalkeeper Davor Matijaš directly from a corner, but his effort was saved. With this win, Lokomotiva reached a maximum of six points after two played rounds.
Pajač's path to becoming one of the league's best players was far from easy. In October 2023, while still playing for Italian side Reggiana, he tore his anterior cruciate ligament. That injury seriously threatened the continuation of his career. After recovering and terminating his contract with Genoa, he returned to Lokomotiva in September 2024, ten years after leaving for abroad, mostly in Italy, where he played for clubs like Cagliari, Empoli, and Brescia.
In an interview with Index.hr shortly after his return, Pajač stated that his goal was to "refresh his career." He did more than that. Last season was one of the best of his career. In the HNL, he scored six goals and added six assists, becoming one of the main offensive weapons for coach Nikica Jelavić. His performances did not go unnoticed-the CIES Football Observatory included him in its statistical team of the league, and he was later selected for the official Best XI of the championship, chosen by a panel of experts, clubs, and the public. He was the only Lokomotiva player in that company.
Although he turned 33 in May and has no significant future resale value, Lokomotiva recognized his invaluable importance to the team. At the end of June, he signed a new three-year contract, tying him to the club until the summer of 2029. This move is a strong confirmation of how much the club values his Serie A experience and his current playing quality that tips the balance on the pitch.
In a squad full of young talents, Pajač is not just a veteran holding a place in the dressing room. He is one of the best and most experienced players who is simultaneously delivering perhaps the best performances of his career. His return to the HNL and the status he has built after a severe injury is a true story of sporting rebirth.
