1998 Volkswagen Jetta clutch or? Big repair bill?

Driving to work today and without warning it becomes difficult to shift gears, as though the paths in between gears are much less defined and it's more difficult to get car into gear (especially low gears).

At a stoplight it won't even shift into any gear after moving it into neutral while trying to downshift. Finally am able to get it into first and continue by turning off ignition, putting it into 1st, and restarting car.

Even while moving shifting is 'difficult'.

Is my clutch gone? Clutch cable? Or?

Any insight appreciated.