Zvonimir Boban: ‘If I didn’t do this it would be a betrayal of every value I have lived for’

December 23, 2025

TL;DR

Zvonimir Boban has returned to Dinamo Zagreb as president, six months after initially joining as CEO.
He is working without a salary to reform the club, which has been impacted by scandals under former management.
Boban previously held significant administrative roles at Fifa and Uefa, influencing policy and advocating for integrity.
His departure from Uefa in January 2024 was due to disagreements with Aleksander Ceferin over statute changes.
Boban also criticized AC Milan's ownership, leading to his dismissal as chief football officer.
He defends his work at Fifa, including the implementation of VAR, which he believes enhances game integrity.
Boban plans to develop Dinamo's academy, aiming for a La Masia-style approach to produce educated players.
He believes Dinamo can become a credible stop for young players from bigger leagues needing to refine their competitive edge.
Boban was instrumental in negotiating the current Champions League format and had specific proposals for the Club World Cup.
He reflects on his iconic moment in 1990, calling it a collective act of the Croatian youth seeking justice and freedom, not nationalism.
Boban's passion for football remains, as he still participates in training sessions with the club's youth teams.

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