Boban, the team man

In a world of football where the headlines are dominated by individuals, Croatian captain Zvonimir Boban is the odd one out: a team man. Boban has suffered bouts of injury, poor form and disappointment in his six-year career with AC Milan, but the midfielder has come through it all by believing in himself and the team. Once again an established member of the Milan side, after years spent on the receiving end of the pre-Bosman rules on foreign players, the 29-year-old makes no secret of what it takes to survive at the top. "Character and respect for others," he says. "Ive sacrificed myself many times by playing in different positions, but I did it because I wanted to show I would give everything and because at that time the team needed sacrifices."Thats how Ive won peoples respect." A product of Dynamo Zagreb, where he spent his first six season, Boban arrived in Italy at Bari in November 1991. Boban joined Milan the following season, and has gone on to win three league titles and the European Cup, scoring few goals but creating many. And he has also been through the bad times, last year, when AC Milan had their most miserable campaign 15 years. The passion which is aroused in Croatia for their team goes far deeper than that experienced by Bobans Italian teammates. "But thats only because Italians are used to having a national side," he explains. "Weve been waiting to become a nation state for centuries." His country may be turning its eyes to Boban at France 98, but the man in charge is not making any predictions about their first performance on the world stage. "Croatia is a small country and has already achieved something great by even qualifying," he said. "I think well get through the group phase, and after that well just have to see. " The modesty is not faked. "In Italy Ive learned everything I know about modern football, about the game as it really is," he said. Croatia may not be expecting an easy time at France 98. But their future couldnt be in better hands.