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Croatian football supremo Vlatko Markovic has urged emerging midfield star Marko Babic to be patient for his chance on the international stage.

The 21-year-old Bayer Leverkusen player was not among coach Mirko Jozic's final 23 players, but he has still travelled with the squad to Japan for experience.

Markovic, the Croatian football association's president, said: "Marko Babic will be Europe's best player by 2005 or 2006."