Zvonimir Boban

Zvonimir Boban

Boban in 2008
Personal information
Full name Zvonimir Boban
Date of birth (1968-10-08) 8 October 1968
Place of birth Imotski, SFR Yugoslavia
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Playing position Attacking midfielder
Youth career
1978–1981 Mračaj Runović
1981–1982 Hajduk Split
1983–1985 Dinamo Zagreb
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1985–1991 Dinamo Zagreb 109 (45)
1991–2002 Milan 178 (21)
1991–1992 → Bari (loan) 17 (2)
2001–2002 → Celta Vigo (loan) 4 (0)
Total 308 (68)
National team
1987 Yugoslavia U20 6 (3)
1988–1991 Yugoslavia 7 (1)
1990–1999 Croatia 51 (12)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.


Zvonimir Boban (Croatian pronunciation: [zʋônimiːr bǒban]; born 8 October 1968) is a former Croatian footballer. Boban played as a midfielder and was usually deployed as an attacking midfielder. He played most of his professional career for Italian club Milan with whom he won four Serie A titles and one UEFA Champions League title. He also captained the Croatia national team which won third place at the 1998 FIFA World Cup. Before 1990 and the international recognition of Croatia's national team, Boban had played for the Yugoslavia under-20 team which won the 1987 World Youth Championship. Boban scored three times in this tournament, as well as scoring in the final (drawn 1–1 with West Germany) and then converting the decisive penalty in the shootout. Having made his debut for the full Yugoslavia team in 1988, Boban, a fierce patriot, switched to playing for Croatia after the national team's inception, debuting against Romania in December 1990. Having appeared seven times for Yugoslavia, scoring once, Boban was capped 51 times for Croatia, scoring 12 goals, between 1990 and 1999.

Since retiring from playing in 2002, Boban gained a history degree from the University of Zagreb. He has also become a football pundit on Croatian and Italian television, working most notably for Sky Italia and RTL Televizija. He has a reputation as an outspoken analyst.

Club career

Dinamo Zagreb

Born in Imotski, Boban started his career with Dinamo Zagreb. He made his debut for the team in the 1985–86 season, aged 16. He would play 109 games for the club over six seasons, scoring 45 goals and becoming club captain aged 19.[1]

Dinamo Zagreb–Red Star Belgrade riot

In a game against Red Star Belgrade on 13 May 1990, Boban attacked a policeman who was assaulting a Dinamo supporter after a riot had broken out in the stadium. This incident made Boban a nationalist icon in Croatia[1][2] and is cited by some as the expression of Croatian discontent with the Yugoslav regime.[3][4] It also earned him a suspension from the Yugoslav national team, causing him to miss the 1990 World Cup in Italy. In January 2011, the match (due to the incident) was named by CNN as one of "five football games that changed the world".[5]

Serie A

A.C. Milan signed Boban in 1991 in a deal worth £8 million.[1] Milan immediately loaned him to Bari, as they felt he needed time to settle in Italy without counting as one of the 3 non-Italian players the club was limited to at the time. Bari were relegated in this season, but Boban ably demonstrated his ability in the team and was recalled to Milan. He stayed in the club for nine seasons, and enjoyed great success with them, helping the team to the 1994 Champions League title and contributing to the 1995 campaign in which they ended as runners-up. Playing 251 games for Milan and scoring 30 goals, Boban won four Serie A titles, as well as three Italian Supercups. In August 2001, with his role at Milan diminished due to the signing of Rui Costa,[1] he was loaned to La Liga side Celta Vigo[6] where he played in only four league matches. Unhappy with his role as a substitute, he retired in October 2001 and finished his last season earlier than he intended.[7][8][9]

International career

Yugoslavia

Boban played a big part in Yugoslavia's win in the 1987 World Youth Championship. He scored three goals for Yugoslavia in this tournament, and also scored a decisive penalty in the final's shootout.[10] At the full international level, he earned seven caps for Yugoslavia between 1988 and 1991,[11] debuting against the Republic of Ireland on 27 April 1988. He played his last game for Yugoslavia on 16 May 1991 against the Faroe Islands, during which he scored his only goal for Yugoslavia.[12]

Croatia

When the nation of Croatia declared its independence of Yugoslavia, Boban left Yugoslavia to play for Croatia. He played his first international match for Croatia in a friendly match against Romania on 22 December 1990.[13] This match was only the second fixture Croatia had played as an independent nation since 1956. Boban played his last match for the national team in a friendly against France on 13 November 1999. He blamed back pain for his decision to quit international football,[14] but would go on to play in two more seasons of club football. In his career with the Croatian national team, Boban won 51 international caps and scored 12 goals.

1998 World Cup

Boban was a member of the Croatian team that finished third at the 1998 World Cup, captaining the squad at that tournament, as he had at the 1996 European Football Championship. A mistake he made in the semi-final allowed France to equalize immediately after Croatia had fought hard to earn a one-goal lead.[15] To make matters worse, Boban was injured and wanted to come off at half time[16] but stayed on until the 65th minute, when he was replaced by Silvio Maric. France won the match 2–1 and eventually won the tournament. Croatia went on to defeat the Netherlands, with Boban providing the pass to Davor Šuker to score the winner,[17] allowing Croatia to attain third place and receive the bronze medal.

Style of play

Nicknamed Zorro, Boban was a talented and creative yet tenacious player, known for his use of feints to beat opponents. He was gifted with excellent vision, passing range, dribbling skills, technical ability, and an eye for the final ball; he mixed these attributes with a unique tactical versatility and intelligence, which enabled him to be deployed in several midfield and offensive positions throughout his career. In addition to his preferred playmaking role behind the forwards as an attacking midfielder, he was also capable of playing on the wing, as a central midfielder, or even as a supporting striker, due to his powerful and accurate bending shots from distance; he was also effective from set-pieces. Throughout his career, he also became known for his vocal presence, determination and aggression on the pitch, as well as his strong character.[18][19]

Retirement

Boban officially retired from football in 2002 after receiving little pitch time at Celta Vigo.[9] On 7 October 2002, Boban organised and played in a farewell testimonial, with Croatia's 1998 World Cup team supported by tennis star Goran Ivanisevic matching up against a World XI featuring such stars as Rivaldo, Marco van Basten and Lothar Matthäus.[20]

Since retiring from football, Boban, always known to be a literary man, completed his history degree at the University of Zagreb. He graduated from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb in 2004, with a thesis named "Christianity in the Roman Empire".[21][22]

He also started a career in sports journalism, being the administration president for the Croatian daily sports newspaper Sportske novosti, a co-commentator during live broadcasts of the Croatian national team's away matches on the country's commercially-funded national TV station RTL Televizija as well as a commentator for SKY Italia and columnist for La Gazzetta dello Sport. Boban also owns a restaurant in Zagreb, called "Boban".[1]

Boban has always maintained that he will never become a coach.

“ Football has broadened my horizons. For a while I will take a rest from it but one thing is certain. Never, never shall I become a coach. My nerves are not up to it. ”
— Zvonimir Boban, interview after retirement[20]

Reputation

Boban made headlines, as the Dinamo Zagreb captain, by kicking a Yugoslav policeman in the face after the officer had attacked a Dinamo Zagreb supporter during an on-pitch riot.[23] For this act alone, Boban was proclaimed a national hero in Croatia at that time.

“ Here I was, a public face prepared to risk his life, career, and everything that fame could have brought, all because of one ideal, one cause; the Croatian cause. ”
— Zvonimir Boban, after the incident

As a commentator and pundit, Boban has become known as a frank and outspoken analyst.[24] He also retains an interest in his old club, Milan, making his opinions well known about their progress. Most recently, he commented on Kaká's departure to Real Madrid, saying that his apparent desire to stay at Milan was "false" and claiming that Milan were "in decline", having lost their strongest players.[25]

Personal life

Boban married Leonarda Boban, a fashion designer, in 1994.[26] They have five children: adopted children Marija, Gabrijel, Marta, Rafael as well as a biological daughter Ruža (Rose).[27]

Boban is also a keen tennis player.[16] He is known to be close friends with Goran Ivanišević,[28] with whom he plays at his private indoor clay tennis court.[29]

Career statistics

Club

[30][31]
Club performance League Cup Continental Total
Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Yugoslavia League Yugoslav Cup Europe Total
1985–86Dinamo ZagrebFirst League200020
1986–8728800288
1987–883013003013
1988–890000
1989–902390239
1990–91261502615
Italy League Coppa Italia Europe Total
1991–92BariSerie A1720000172
1992–93MilanSerie A1303061221
1993–942042080304
1994–9521130112353
1995–961332053206
1996–972813051362
1997–982326100293
1998–992724000312
1999–20001763020226
2000–011623170263
Spain League Copa del Rey Europe Total
2001–02Celta VigoLa Liga402060
Total Yugoslavia 1094510945
Italy 1952329244726832
Spain 40002060
Career total 3086829246738377
Yugoslavia national team
YearAppsGoals
198820
198910
199020
199121
Total71
Croatia national team
YearAppsGoals
199010
199110
199210
199310
199450
199552
199692
199783
1998135
199970
Total5112

International goals

Results list Croatia's goal tally first.
# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 25 March 1995 Maksimir, Zagreb  Ukraine
1 – 0
4 – 0
 Euro 1996 Qualifying
2 3 September 1995 Maksimir, Zagreb  Estonia
4 – 1
7 – 1
 Euro 1996 Qualifying
3 2 June 1996 Lansdowne Road, Dublin  Republic of Ireland
2 – 1
2 – 2
 Friendly
4 16 June 1996 Hillsborough, Sheffield  Denmark
2 – 0
3 – 0
 Euro 1996
5–6 2 April 1997 Poljud, Split  Slovenia
2 – 0
3 – 3
 World Cup 1998 Qualifying
3 – 1
7 6 September 1997 Maksimir, Zagreb  Bosnia and Herzegovina
3 – 2
3 – 2
 World Cup 1998 Qualifying
8 22 April 1998 Gradski vrt, Osijek  Poland
1 – 0
4 – 1
 Friendly
9–10 6 June 1998 Maksimir, Zagreb  Australia
4 – 0
7 – 0
 Friendly
7 – 0
11–12 14 October 1998 Maksimir, Zagreb  Macedonia
2 – 1
3 – 2
 Euro 2000 Qualifying
3 – 2

Honours

Club

Milan[18]

International

Yugoslavia
Croatia

Individual

Orders

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Schiavone, David. "Legend of Calcio: Zvonimir Boban". Retrieved 6 June 2011.
  2. ↑ Podnar, Ozren. "The Day Yugoslav Soccer Died". Retrieved 10 June 2011.
  3. ↑ machiavelli. "Arkan, Zvonimir Boban, football and the bloody end of Yugoslavia". Retrieved 6 June 2011.
  4. ↑ J-Rock. "May 13 – The Match That Started a War". Retrieved 10 June 2011.
  5. ↑ "Utakmica Dinamo-Crvena zvezda među pet koje su promijenile svijet". Sarajevo-x.com. Retrieved 16 August 2011.
  6. ↑ Evans, Nic. "Boban agrees to Celta loan deal". Sky Sports. Retrieved 10 June 2011.
  7. ↑ "Zvonimir Boban". acmilan-online.com. Retrieved 10 June 2011.
  8. ↑ "Boban to call it a day". The Sunday Herald. 14 October 2001. Retrieved 10 June 2011.
  9. 1 2 "Boban retires". BBC. 16 October 2001. Retrieved 10 June 2011.
  10. ↑ "FIFA – Zvonimir Boban Stats". FIFA.com. Retrieved 6 June 2011.
  11. ↑ "Serbian National Team – Zvonimir Boban Stats". Retrieved 6 June 2011.
  12. ↑ "Serbian National Team Statistics – Yugoslavia vs Faroe Islands". Retrieved 8 June 2011.
  13. ↑ "Sve o sportu". Sve o sportu. Retrieved 16 August 2011.
  14. ↑ "Boban calls time on Croatia career". Retrieved 6 June 2011.
  15. ↑ Oberjurge, Paul. "Thuram finds perfect time to finally find net.". Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  16. 1 2 Hale, Alex. "Zvonimir Boban". Trivela.co.uk. Retrieved 10 June 2011.
  17. ↑ "CROATIA – NETHERLANDS". Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  18. 1 2 3 "A.C. Milan Hall of Fame: Zvonimir Boban". A.C. Milan. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  19. ↑ "Zvonimir BOBAN" (in Italian). Magliarossonera.it. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  20. 1 2 Bach, Nenand. "Croatia's Boban leaves football with farewell match". Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  21. ↑ "50 najbogatijih Hrvata" [50 richest Croats] (in Croatian). Nacional (weekly). 30 March 2004. Archived from the original on 1 July 2012. Retrieved 16 August 2011.
  22. ↑ Podnar, Ozren. "Zvonimir Boban: Next Croatian FA President, Or Deputy Minister Of Sports?". Retrieved 6 June 2011.
  23. ↑ Haylett, Trevor (10 October 1995). "Boban the inspiration for Croatia". The Independent. London. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  24. ↑ Romao, Kevin. "Whatever happened to – Zvonimir Boban". The Graduate Times. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  25. ↑ Blake, Lajla Mlinarić (translation). "Croatia's Boban Calls Kaka Two-faced Liar". Dalje.com. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  26. ↑ "Zvonimir & Leonarda Boban". Story.Hr. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  27. ↑ "Zvonimir Boban becomes father for a fifth time". Croatian Times. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  28. ↑ Staunton, Peter. "Top 10 – Roland Garros Special: When Football Meets Tennis". Retrieved 10 June 2011.
  29. ↑ Law, David (1 January 2003). "Ivanisevic promises final display of fireworks". The Independent. London. Retrieved 10 June 2011.
  30. ↑ "Boban, Zvonimir". National Football Teams. Retrieved 10 June 2011.
  31. ↑ "Zvonimir Boban". FootballDatabase.eu. Retrieved 10 June 2011.
  32. ↑ "ODLUKU KOJOM SE ODLIKUJU REDOM DANICE HRVATSKE S LIKOM FRANJE BUČARA" (in Croatian). hrvatska.poslovniforum.hr.
  33. ↑ "PREDSJEDNIK TUDJMAN ODLIKOVAO HRVATSKU NOGOMETNU REPREZENTACIJU" (in Croatian). hrt.hr.
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