Here are 16 points that reveal Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s contribution to the world of football.
1. That brass
This is how you celebrate when you’ve scored one of the best goals of the decade.
Photo: Sandberg, Fredrik / NTB scanpix
His athleticism speaks for itself. Criticized by the British press for several years. Why not end the discussion of whether he is world class or not by hitting a brass kick from thirty meters?
We will see Zlatan’s top ten. Nothing beats it.
2. – You smell so bad!
Zlatan massively tried to expose Patrick Ekwall on live TV.
3. – Stop stealing bikes!
If Zlatan himself is fussy, then his fans are just as bad. To Express told Zlatan about a nine-year-old who had read his book twenty to thirty times and ran a mile to meet his role model after he scored four goals against England, only to be met behind closed doors at the Friends arena.
– I mean, he ran a mile, he was late for school because he read my book, he wrote to me that he started stealing bicycles because it was written in the book, so I had to reply to him and say; “Stop the bike, that’s not good at all.”
4. – I’m going to Rosenborg
This punch on Erik Hoftun’s head did not prevent Zlatan from directing his lips more towards Rosenborg.
Photo: JERRY LAMPEN / REUTERS
Zlatan and Ajax met Rosenborg in the Champions League and it ended with a fight and a fist on the back of Erik Hoftun’s head. Sporting director Rune Bratseth at RBK denounced “arrogant bastards”, while Zlatan is being chased by big clubs across Europe. Then Television 2 asked where he was going, but the answer was clear.
– I’m going to Rosenborg, I heard they want to buy me.
5. Orange
– What John Carew did with football, I do with oranges, is probably the most famous Zlatan quote for Norwegians.
That quote was delivered at the bar counter, which is VG told this week, it’s no less cool.
6. – We put you in midfield
Zlatan provided creative solutions to Sweden’s problems when asked repeatedly by journalists.
7. He wins everything
The trophies keep rolling in for the player from Sweden. Enough said.
8. He only has a first name
– There is only one Zlatan, as he himself said so beautifully.
9. – Maybe if you are a judge
Zlatan did not accept criticism for throwing the ball towards the Faroe Islands goalkeeper.
10. Advertisers
Zlatan turned an ordinary interview into a pure publicity stunt.
11. Acceptance speech
Zlatan is grateful for his ninth Swedish Ballon d’Or and puts football into perspective in fifty touching seconds.
12. Low budget?
Zlatan did not take it well when a journalist questioned his relationship with Edison Cavani.
13. Class differences
Zlatan competes with his teammates on the Swedish national team to chip the ball onto the crossbar. Guess who is the best?
14. Statistics
This is how Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrated his 50th goal for the national team.
Photo: JONATHAN NACKSTRAND / Afp
677 club matches. 392 targets.
116 international matches. 62 goals.
Highest-scoring Swedish player on the national team of all time. Zlatan is more than just talk.
Muhammad Ali is considered by many to be the greatest boxer of all time.
Photo: AP
15. Comparing himself to Ali
– I’m like Muhammad Ali. When he said he would knockout in the fourth round, he did it, said Zlatan. Following up on conversations is important to him, and also one of the reasons why he does it likes Peter Northug.
16. Because he scores goals like this
“Infuriatingly humble coffee guru. Travel practitioner. Freelance zombie fanatic. Certified problem solver. Food scholar. Student.”
