Drazan Jerkovic (photo), a legendary Croatian footballer who was top scorer at the 1962 World Cup in Chile and adored across the former Yugoslavia, died on Tuesday. He was 72.

Jerkovic died of heart failure, officials said yesterday.

Jerkovic played for Dinamo Zagreb in the 1950's and 1960's and also the national team of Yugoslavia, of which Croatia was a part until its independence 1991.

In his 21 appearances for Yugoslavia, he scored 11 goals.

At the 1962 World Cup he scored four goals and was named best striker.

As coach, he led Yugoslavia to the gold medal at the Mediterranean Games in 1971. Later he became the first coach of Croatia's national team.

Funeral arrangements were not immediately known.