Mingo, a Legend of Split, Passes Away
Ivan Domingo Franulović-Mingo, the legendary goalkeeper of Split, passed away at the age of ninety. The final farewell will be held on Tuesday at Lovrinac Cemetery in Split.
Ivan Domingo Franulović-Mingo, the legendary goalkeeper of Split, passed away at the age of ninety. The final farewell will be held on Tuesday at Lovrinac Cemetery in Split.
The football community in Split was struck by sad news: Ivan Domingo Franulović-Mingo, the legendary goalkeeper of Split, passed away at the age of ninety. The news of his death was announced on Monday, and the final farewell will be held on Tuesday, August 18, at 2:45 PM at Lovrinac Cemetery in Split.
Franulović was born in 1936 in São Paulo and arrived in Split from Brazil as a twelve-year-old. Although he began his football career as a skilled striker, legendary coach Ivo Alujević-Kombi converted him to the goalkeeper position, which he never left.
His goalkeeping talent earned him a spot in the Croatian youth national team, for which he played against Slovenia, keeping a clean sheet.
With his Split team in the 1957/58 season, he played in the Yugoslav First League, where he started seven consecutive matches. He played the last match of that season against Vardar.
He then returned to Brazil, where he played for Bragantinos, helping them gain promotion to the top division. His solid defensive performances caught the attention of scouts, and he was given the opportunity to train with Santos, where Pelé played, meeting the greatest footballer of all time.
After that, he received an offer from Split to return, which he accepted, while simultaneously turning down a move to Red Star Belgrade. He returned to his Split in March 1959.
He once again helped his "reds" gain promotion to the Yugoslav First League. During the 1960/61 season, Zdenko Vukasović was the most frequent goalkeeper for Split in the top flight, while Franulović made three appearances. He ended his playing career at Split after the 1966/67 season.
Although he stopped playing football, Mingo always remained connected to Split. He regularly attended Split's top-flight matches in the Croatian championship, as well as all significant anniversaries of his only club, about which he said: "It got under my skin."
For Split, Ivan Domingo Franulović was much more than a footballer; he was a good man who carried only love, passion, and an unbreakable bond with the club.
