Milan Rapaić (born 16 August 1973) is a Croatian former professional

footballer A football player or footballer is a sportsperson who plays one of the different types of football. The main types of football are association football, American football, Canadian football, Australian rules football, Gaelic football, rugby ...

who played as a

midfielder A midfielder is an outfield position in association football. Midfielders may play an exclusively defensive role, breaking up attacks, and are in that case known as defensive midfielders. As central midfielders often go across boundarie ...

. He primary played as an

attacking midfielder A midfielder is an outfield position in association football. Midfielders may play an exclusively defensive role, breaking up attacks, and are in that case known as defensive midfielders. As central midfielders often go across boundarie ...

or winger.

International career

He made his debut for

Croatia , image_flag = Flag of Croatia.svg , image_coat = Coat of arms of Croatia.svg , anthem = "Lijepa naša domovino"("Our Beautiful Homeland") , image_map = , map_caption = , capit ...

in an April 1994

friendly match An exhibition game (also known as a friendly, a scrimmage, a demonstration, a preseason game, a warmup match, or a preparation match, depending at least in part on the sport) is a sporting event whose prize money and impact on the player's or ...

away against

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, coming on as a 46th-minute substitute for Darko Vukić, and earned a total of 49 caps, scoring 5 goals. Rapaić played two games for his country at the

2002 FIFA World Cup The 2002 FIFA World Cup, also branded as Korea Japan 2002, was the 17th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial football world championship for men's national teams organized by FIFA. It was held from 31 May to 30 June 2002 at sites in South Korea an ...

and is most remembered for his spectacular goal against

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, which secured a come from behind 2–1 victory. Rapaić was also included in Croatia's squad at

Euro 2004 The 2004 UEFA European Football Championship, commonly referred to as Euro 2004, was the 12th edition of the UEFA European Championship, a quadrennial football competition contested by the men's national teams of UEFA member associations. The ...

and played in three matches at the finals. On 17 June 2004, he scored a goal in Croatia's 2–2 draw with reigning champions

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in the

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. He proved to be a fan favourite with his fun-loving playing style wherever he has played, and after impressive performances he once again earned a call up in August 2006 for the Croatian national side after missing the

2006 FIFA World Cup The 2006 FIFA World Cup, also branded as Germany 2006, was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which had won the right to host th ...

. Croatia went on to beat the world champions Italy 2–0 in Livorno, with Rapaić starting. His final international was a March 2007 European Championship qualification match against Macedonia.

Personal life

Rapaić's son Boris is also a footballer.

Career statistics

International

Honours

Hajduk Split * Prva HNL: 1992, 1993–94, 1994–95 * Croatian Cup:

1992–93 Year 199 ( CXCIX) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was sometimes known as year 952 '' Ab urbe condita''. The denomination 199 for this year has been used since t ...

, 1994–95, 2002–03 *

Croatian Super Cup The Croatian Football Super Cup is a football match between the winners of the Croatian national top league and football cup. The Super Cup is always held at the beginning of a new football season, and is only held when different clubs win the t ...

: 1992, 1993, 1994 Fenerbahçe *

Süper Lig The Süper Lig (, ''Super League''), officially known as Spor Toto Süper Lig for sponsorship reasons, is a Turkish professional league for association football clubs. It is the top-flight of the Turkish football league system and is run by the ...

: 2000–01

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Rapaic, Milan 1973 births Living people People from Nova Gradiška Sport in Brod-Posavina County Association football midfielders Croatian footballers Croatia international footballers 2002 FIFA World Cup players UEFA Euro 2004 players HNK Hajduk Split players A.C. Perugia Calcio players Fenerbahçe S.K. footballers A.C. Ancona players Standard Liège players HNK Trogir players Croatian Football League players Serie A players Süper Lig players Serie B players Belgian Pro League players Croatian expatriate footballers Expatriate footballers in Italy Croatian expatriate sportspeople in Italy Expatriate footballers in Turkey Croatian expatriate sportspeople in Turkey Expatriate footballers in Belgium Croatian expatriate sportspeople in Belgium