Milan Rapaić
Croatian footballer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Milan Rapaić (born 16 August 1973) is a Croatian former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He primarily played as an attacking midfielder or winger.
Yugoslavia
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Milan Rapaić | ||
| Date of birth | 16 August 1973 | ||
| Place of birth |
Nova Gradiška, SR Croatia, Yugoslavia | ||
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||
| Positions | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1991–1996 | Hajduk Split | 84 | (20) |
| 1996–2000 | Perugia | 121 | (20) |
| 2000–2002 | Fenerbahçe | 51 | (15) |
| 2003 | Hajduk Split | 11 | (3) |
| 2003–2004 | Ancona | 13 | (4) |
| 2004–2007 | Standard Liège | 62 | (17) |
| 2008 | Trogir | 7 | (1) |
| Total | 349 | (80) | |
| International career‡ | |||
| 1994–2007 | Croatia | 49 | (5) |
|
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 15 July 2007 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 12 September 2007 | |||
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
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 |
2 – 0 | ||||||
| 6 | 17 June 2004 | Dr. Magalhães Pessoa, Leiria |  France |
1–1 |
2–2 |
UEFA Euro 2004 |
