The report says Budimir was born in Zenica, Bosnia, and left the country with his family during the war. He grew up in Velika Gorica, near Zagreb, where football became an escape and then a vocation.
Budimir recalled asking his mother to let him train at the local stadium at seven. “Ela me levou e eu nunca mais parei de jogar futebol desde então,” he said - “She took me, and I never stopped playing football.”
His route to the top was gradual. After developing in Croatia, he moved through German and Italian football before arriving at Mallorca in 2019, helping the club win promotion. His performances eventually led to a move to Osasuna, where he has become the club’s leading scorer in the La Liga era.
The account credits Budimir with 95 goals for Osasuna and says he surpassed Sabino Andonegui’s previous record. It also places him among La Liga’s leading scorers in successive seasons, underlining the consistency that has made him one of the division’s most dependable forwards.
His importance goes beyond finishing. Budimir offers a physical presence, intelligent movement and the experience to lead an attack through difficult spells. For a club that has often competed without the deepest resources, that reliability has been invaluable.
The report also describes Budimir helping an elderly Osasuna supporter facing serious illness by taking her to hospital in Pamplona. It is a story that fits Herrera’s assessment of a player valued for more than his goals.
Away from football, Budimir has studied economics since 2019, balancing university work with a demanding professional career and encouragement from his sisters.
The next chapter will be whether the Croatian can extend his scoring records while helping Osasuna remain competitive - and whether his unusual journey continues to inspire as strongly as his performances.