Former Socceroos goalkeeper, Zeljko Kalac, recounts a memorable night out with the Australian football team in Sydney. At a nightclub, the NSW Blues rugby league team took issue with the Socceroos’ presence, feeling overshadowed by their expensive champagne and attention from women. Kalac also shares humorous anecdotes about his time with AC Milan, including late-night barbecues with Ronaldinho and David Beckham.
Veteran Socceroos goalkeeper, Zeljko Kalac, has shared a fascinating tale of a night out with the Australian football team that almost took a violent turn. The incident, which took place at a Sydney nightclub, involved an encounter with the NSW Blues rugby league team, who took exception to the Socceroos’ presence.
According to Kalac, who represented the Socceroos 54 times between 1992 and 2006, the Blues players were irked by the fact that the Socceroos were attracting attention from women with their expensive champagne.
Zeljko Kalac recounts a memorable night out where the NSW Blues rugby league team wanted to confront the Socceroos.
Kalac recalled: “I remember a night out with the Socceroos where the NSW Blues wanted to start a fight with us at a nightclub. It wasn’t our fault that we were buying expensive champagne while they were drinking beer.”
He further added: “We were living the high life with our cocktails and champagne, while they were on their beers. Naturally, the women were drawn to us, and the Blues players didn’t take too kindly to that.”
The story prompted a lighthearted response from Maroons great Wendell Sailor, who joked: “That’s typical New South Wales. If it were us Queenslanders, we would’ve offered to buy them a drink and had a good time together.”
Kalac also shared some hilarious anecdotes from his time with Italian giants AC Milan, where he played alongside legends like Paolo Maldini, Kaka, and Andrea Pirlo. However, it was his stories about Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho that stood out.
The NSW Blues players were reportedly annoyed by the attention the Socceroos received from women (current Blues stars pictured, none involved in Kalac’s story)
Zeljko Kalac was an integral part of the Socceroos during his playing career.
Kalac and Ronaldinho were teammates at AC Milan, one of the most prestigious clubs in world football.
“Ronaldinho was the king,” Kalac laughed. “After a tough training session, you’d be tired and ready for bed, and he’d call you up at 10 pm, inviting you over for a barbecue.”
He continued: “I’d get to his place, and there would be all the Brazilians from Milan and Inter. And then there was me and Becks (David Beckham). Becks had this small guy with him, and I used to joke with him, asking what Jerry Maguire was doing there.”
Since retiring from professional football, Kalac has taken on the role of goalkeeping coach for several A-League teams. He is currently the head coach of Sydney United in the National Premier League, sharing his wealth of experience with the next generation of Australian footballers.
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Socceroos veteran, Zeljko Kalac, shares a story of a potential confrontation with the NSW State of Origin stars while partying in a nightclub.