Every time there is a picture of the Milan players celebrating a goal or their latest victory, an inevitable 7 foot figure looms large in the camera lens, patting people on the head in celebration. Tracksuit clad. Keeper gloves always on, strapped and fixed, ready for action. Jumping up and down, a million dollar smile on his face, celebrating with his team mates.
In fact in a recent May 6 interview with SBS he confessed he was the team clown, relaxing some of the other players who were taking things a bit too seriously.
I can just see it now - Spider standing over a scowling Gattuso in the dressing room - 'relax mate, its just a Champions League quarter final'
He has even taught them Aussie slang. Cue Jesus loving Kaka....'Hang on mate, I just gotta go choke a brown dog....'' (That works on so many levels).
And I'll never forget his laconic description of life as a professional footballer on the SBS's fantastic program, The Away Game.
Monday sleep, eat. train. sleep. train. eatetc etc
Tuesday eat. train. sleep. free time. eat. train.
Wed train. eat. train. sleep. train
You have to admire him - he maintains a positive attitude at Milan, despite his perpetual presence on the bench - he has only played 3 UCL games for Milan. Yet he is the quintessential optimist and always comes across as being someone who is happy to bide his time.
I guess when you think about it he has a lot to be happy about.
Zeljko joins Harry Kewell and Craig Johnston as the only Australians to own a European Champions League medal. And he has re-signed with Milan for another 2 years. Maybe he knows his time will come. Dida won't be there forever.
And, take note all you parents sending your kiddies off to AFL camp over summer, maybe he is just OK with getting the $350 000 winners bonus, just for being there in Athens and just playing his small part this season.
Onya Spider, I'd be laughing too.
