Zvonimir Boban has issued a stinging criticism of AC Milan’s handling of Ismaël Bennacer, describing the Algerian midfielder as “exceptional” and lamenting what he called a failure by the club to recognize his true value.
In a wide-ranging interview with Andrea Longoni, the former AC Milan executive took the opportunity to reflect on his time at the club—but it was his passionate defence of Bennacer, now at Marseille, that stood out.
The 26-year-old midfielder left Milan in the January transfer window after a turbulent spell marred by injury and inconsistent selection.
“Bennacer is an extremely underestimated player, and you too have not understood him,” Boban said. “What don’t you see in him?” Addressing concerns about Bennacer’s injuries, Boban was dismissive: “It’s a valid argument. I too have been injured often, other players too.”
Asked whether Bennacer had pushed for a move away from San Siro, Boban replied emphatically: “The management massacred him. Bennacer is an exceptional player, undervalued. What he has given to Milan is exceptional.”
Boban took full responsibility for past decisions regarding the midfielder but didn’t shy away from acknowledging misjudgments.
“I don’t defend our choice regarding him. On the contrary, I admit my mistakes. It’s my defeats that helped me understand,” he said. “Bennacer is the player who intercepts the most balls in the world per minute played. He touches almost more balls than minutes he plays. He is always present in the game. I don’t understand how we don’t see him.”
Recalling Bennacer’s pivotal injury during the UEFA Champions League semi-final against Inter Milan in May 2023, Boban described it as a defining moment that Milan mishandled.
“After an injury, it takes time to come back. We’ve given it to others, but we immediately put him aside. He’s a closed-off guy, a total soldier, he doesn’t know how to communicate.”
Boban also shared insights into Bennacer’s early promise, referencing a recommendation from then-Empoli manager Marco Giampaolo.
“Giampaolo had told us to sign him. I went to take a closer look and found a statement from Cristiano Ronaldo saying: ‘There’s a number 10 at Empoli that I like.’ And that match… incredible. Bennacer destroyed everything single-handedly. Juve never managed to stop him.”
Commenting on Bennacer’s unique playing style, Boban reflected on his developmental journey.
“We had to clean him up, stabilize him. He didn’t even know how to turn around. We worked. He came from Arsenal, I called Wenger. He told me: ‘Zvone, if you go to war with someone, take Ismaël.’ He’s a real number 10, but he also won the Africa Cup of Nations as a number 8, not as a 6.”
Boban concluded with a lingering sense of regret: “It had to be shaped. It wasn’t meant to be played immediately. It was a rough diamond. But even today, I don’t understand how we could have missed what it really represents.”
In Boban’s eyes, Bennacer’s story is one of overlooked brilliance—a reminder of how raw talent can go underappreciated when not given the patience and understanding it deserves.
