Milan Rapaić

Milan Rapaić
Personal information
Full name	Milan Rapaić
Date of birth	16 August 1973 (age 51)
Place of birth	Nova Gradiška, SR Croatia,; Yugoslavia
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s)	Attacking midfielder, winger
Senior career*
Years	Team
1991–1996	Hajduk Split
1996–2000	Perugia
2000–2002	Fenerbahçe
2003	Hajduk Split
2003–2004	Ancona
2004–2007	Standard Liège
2008	Trogir
Total
International career‡
1994–2007	Croatia
	*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 15 July 2007; ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 12 September 2007

Milan Rapaić (born 16 August 1973) is a Croatian former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He primary played as an attacking midfielder or winger.

International career

He made his debut for Croatia in an April 1994 friendly match away against Slovakia, coming on as a 46th-minute substitute for Darko Vukić, and earned a total of 49 caps, scoring 5 goals.^[1]

Rapaić played two games for his country at the 2002 FIFA World Cup and is most remembered for his spectacular goal against Italy, which secured a come from behind 2–1 victory.^[2]

Rapaić was also included in Croatia's squad at Euro 2004 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 France in the group stage.^[3]

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. Croatia went on to beat the world champions Italy 2–0 in Livorno, with Rapaić starting.^[4]

His final international was a March 2007 European Championship qualification match against Macedonia.^[5]

Personal life

Rapaić's son Boris is also a footballer.^[6]

Career statistics

International

Goal	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	25 April 2001	Stadion Varteks, Varaždin	Greece	2–2	2–2	Friendly
2	8 May 2002	PMFC, Pécs	Hungary	1–0	2–0	Friendly
3	8 June 2002	Kashima, Kashima	Italy	2–1	2–1	2002 FIFA World Cup
4–5	2 April 2003	Stadion Varteks, Varaždin	Andorra	1–0	2–0	Euro 2004 Qualifying
4–5	2 April 2003	Stadion Varteks, Varaždin	Andorra	2 – 0	2–0	Euro 2004 Qualifying
6	17 June 2004	Dr. Magalhães Pessoa, Leiria	France	1–1	2–2	UEFA Euro 2004