Zlatan Ibrahimović

"Ibrahimović" redirects here. For the Serbian footballer, see Nermin Ibrahimović. For the Bosnian footballer, see Miralem Ibrahimović.

Zlatan Ibrahimović

Ibrahimović during a press conference in December 2013
Personal information
Full nameZlatan Ibrahimović[1]
Date of birth3 October 1981
Place of birthMalmö, Sweden
Height1.95 m (6 ft 5 in)[2]
Playing positionCenter Forward
Club information
Current team
Paris Saint-Germain
Number10
Youth career
Malmö BI
FBK Balkan
Malmö FF
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
1999–2001Malmö FF40(16)
2001–2004Ajax74(35)
2004–2006Juventus70(23)
2006–2009Internazionale88(57)
2009–2010Barcelona29(16)
2010–2011→ Milan (loan)29(14)
2011–2012Milan32(28)
2012–Paris Saint-Germain89(73)
National team‡
1999Sweden U18[3]4(1)
2001Sweden U217(6)
2001–Sweden103(54)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 17:22, 8 April 2015 (UTC).

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 31 March 2015

Zlatan Ibrahimović (Swedish pronunciation: [ˈslaːtan ɪbraˈhiːmɔvɪtɕ], Bosnian pronunciation: [zlǎtan ibraxǐːmoʋit͡ɕ]; born 3 October 1981) is a Swedish professional footballer who plays as a striker for French club Paris Saint-Germain and the Swedish national team for which he is captain.[4]

Ibrahimović started his career at Malmö FF in the late 1990s before being signed by Ajax, where made a name for himself under Ronald Koeman. He later signed with Juventus for €16 million, and gained fame in Serie A by benefiting from his strike partnership with David Trezeguet. In 2006, Ibrahimović signed with rivals Internazionale, where he won individual awards such as the Italian Oscar del Calcio and the Swedish Guldbollen, and was named in the 2007 and 2009 UEFA Team of the Year, in addition to finishing as the league's highest scorer in 2008–09 while winning three straight Scudetti. In the summer of 2009, he transferred to Barcelona. His time at Barcelona was short-lived, however, moving back to Serie A football with A.C. Milan the following season, in a deal which made him one of the highest paid footballers in the world[5] and cost the Italian club €24 million. He signed with Paris Saint-Germain in July 2012.

Ibrahimović is one of ten players to have made 100 or more appearances for the Swedish national team, and is the country's all time leading goalscorer in international matches with 54 goals. He has represented Sweden at the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cups, as well as the 2004, 2008 and 2012 UEFA European Championships.

With his playing style compared to Dutch legend Marco van Basten, Ibrahimović is one of the best finishers in the game and is regarded to be one of the best footballers of his generation.[6][7][8][9] His spectacular bicycle kick for Sweden against England won the 2013 FIFA Puskás Award for Goal of the Year.[10] In December 2013, Ibrahimović was ranked by The Guardian as the third-best player in the world.[11] In December 2014, Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter named him the second-greatest Swedish sportsperson of all time, after Björn Borg.[12]

Early life

Ibrahimović was born in Sweden to a Muslim Bosniak father, Šefik Ibrahimović,[13] who emigrated to Sweden in 1977, and a Croatian Catholic mother, Jurka Gravić,[14] who had also emigrated to Sweden, where they first met. His father was born in Bijeljina and his mother was born in the village of Prkos near Škabrnja in Croatia's Zadar County.[15]

After receiving a pair of football boots, Ibrahimović began playing at the age of six, alternating between local junior clubs Malmö BI and FBK Balkan.[16][17] While in his early teens, he was a regular for his hometown club Malmö FF.[17] At the age of 15, Ibrahimović was close to quitting his football career, in favour of working at the docks in Malmö, but his manager convinced him to continue playing.[18] His idol was Brazilian star Ronaldo when he was growing up.[19]

Club career

Malmö FF

Ibrahimović signed his first contract with Malmö in 1996, and moved up to the senior side for the 1999 season of Allsvenskan, Sweden's top-flight league. That season, Malmö finished 13th in the league and were relegated to the second division, but returned to the top flight the next season. Arsène Wenger unsuccessfully tried to persuade Ibrahimović to join Arsenal, while Leo Beenhakker also expressed interest in the player after watching him in a training match against Norwegian side Moss FK.[20] On 22 March 2001, a deal between Ajax and Malmö regarding Ibrahimović's transfer to Amsterdam was announced, and in July, Ibrahimović officially joined Ajax for 80 million Swedish kronor (€8.7 million).[21]

Ajax

Ibrahimović received little playing time under manager Co Adriaanse, but when Adriaanse was sacked on 29 November 2001, new coach Ronald Koeman inserted Ibrahimović into the starting lineup as Ajax won the 2001–02 Eredivisie title. The next season, Ibrahimović scored twice in a 2–1 victory over French champions Lyon in his Champions League debut on 17 September 2002. He scored five Champions League goals overall as Ajax fell to A.C. Milan in the quarter-finals.[22][23] In his final season with Ajax, Ibrahimović's profile rose when he scored a goal against NAC on 22 August 2004 that was eventually voted the "Goal of the Year" by Eurosport viewers.[24]

On 18 August 2004, during an international match against the Netherlands, Ibrahimović injured Ajax teammate Rafael van der Vaart, who later accused Ibrahimović of hurting him intentionally. This led to Ibrahimović's sudden sale to Juventus on 31 August.[25]

Juventus

Ibrahimović moved from Ajax to Juventus for €16 million.[26] He was promptly inserted into the starting eleven due in part to top scorer David Trezeguet's injury problems, and scored sixteen goals. Near the end of the season, Juventus reportedly rejected a €70 million bid for him from Real Madrid, which was later revealed to be a publicity stunt initiated by Ibrahimović's agent, Mino Raiola, in order to increase his market value.[24] On 14 November 2005, he was awarded the Guldbollen, a prize awarded to the best Swedish footballer of the year.[27]

The following season was poor compared to his first season; his role in Juventus' attack changed, as he became less of a goalscorer and moved more to the sidelines, taking much part in the build-up play, especially as a target player, and his assist numbers increased. In the 2005–06 season, Juventus fans often got frustrated with him due to his anonymous presence in certain important games such as the Champions League defeat to Arsenal. Juventus were stripped of their last two Scudetti as part of the verdict from the Calciopoli scandal, and were relegated to Serie B. The new staff tried to persuade Ibrahimović and other top players to stay with Juventus, but the player and his agent were adamant to move on, with Raiola threatening legal action in order to extricate Ibrahimović from his contract.[28]

Internazionale

Ibrahimović and Mario Balotelli against Palermo in 2009

On 10 August 2006, Ibrahimović completed a €24.8 million move to Internazionale, signing a four-year-deal,[29] this coming only a few days after 30-year-old midfielder Patrick Vieira had completed his own transfer from Juve to the Nerazzurri.[30] Ibrahimović revealed that he had supported Inter when he was young.[31]

In his first season at the club, Ibrahimović top scored for Inter in Serie A with 15 goals, as the team won the Scudetto with a record 97 points.[32]

Ibrahimović played his 100th Serie A match on 16 September 2007. His contract was renewed in 2007, it was due to expire in June 2013.[33] It was reported that this contract had made him the world's highest paid footballer.[34]

On 18 May 2008, Ibrahimović scored both goals in a 2–0 defeat of Parma on the final day of the 2007–08 Serie A season, to give Inter a second consecutive Scudetto.[35] Overall, he scored 17 goals in 26 league matches, and was named both "Serie A Footballer of the Year" and "Serie A Foreign Footballer of the Year".[35]

Ibrahimović ended the 2008–09 Serie A season as the league's top goalscorer with 25 goals, helping Inter to another league title. He was also named both "Footballer of the Year" and "Foreign Footballer of the Year" for the second consecutive season. His goal against Bologna was voted "Goal of the Year". He scored it with his heel without moving and accurately into the net from a cross by Adriano.[36]

Barcelona

I was probably with the best team in history. Their football was beautiful. When I prepared for a game, I knew I had won even before we started. I looked at the players around me and saw Messi and Iniesta and Xavi and Puyol and Piqué and Dani Alves and Busquets. Unbelievable! It was football from another planet and I loved it. It was technically perfect.

“
”
— "Zlatan Ibrahimović, the Guardian". Interview, 6 October 2014

After Maxwell completed his transfer to Barcelona, president Joan Laporta confirmed that there was an agreement in principle between Barcelona and Internazionale for Ibrahimović to join the club in exchange for Samuel Eto'o, plus a fee.[37] Ibrahimović left Inter during their United States summer tour in the World Football Challenge on 23 July 2009 for negotiations with Barcelona, with his last match for Inter being against Chelsea.[38] After Inter agreed terms with Eto'o[39] and Barcelona with Ibrahimović,[40] Barcelona announced Ibrahimović would arrive on 26 July 2009 and undergo a medical test on 27 July 2009.[41]

Ibrahimović playing for Barcelona with his former teammate Xavi

Ibrahimović passed his medical and was presented to a crowd of over 60,000 at Camp Nou.[42] He signed a 5-year contract,[43] for €46 million[43] and the exchange of Eto'o (valued at €20 million) and loan of Alexander Hleb (with an option to buy for a €10 million fee),[43] with a €250 million release clause,[43] making Ibrahimović worth €66 million. However, the Hleb deal collapsed. Eventually Ibrahimović cost Barcelona €69.884 million which included other fees.[44] As per the Inter book the fee was €69.5 million,[45][46] but part of the Inter fee (about 4.5%) was redistributed to youth clubs as solidarity contribution (except Juventus.[47])

Ibrahimović playing for Barcelona in a match against Sporting Gijón in 2009

Ibrahimović started the 2009–10 season with his competitive debut for Barcelona on 23 August 2009 by assisting on a goal by Lionel Messi, leading them to the Spanish Super Cup. In his next competitive match, Barcelona won the 2009 UEFA Super Cup.[48] In his third appearance, he scored his first goal in Barcelona's La Liga season opener against Sporting Gijón in a 3–0 win. Ibrahimović went on to score in his next four games, thus setting a team record as the only player ever to score in his first five league matches.[49][50]

On 20 October, he scored his first Champions League goal for Barcelona in a group stage match against Rubin Kazan. Five days later, he scored twice in a 6–1 thrashing of Real Zaragoza, giving him a league-leading seven goals in seven league matches while bringing Barcelona to the top of the table.[51] However, on 7 November, Ibrahimović suffered a thigh injury that kept him out for three weeks. He returned to action in week 12 of the season against Real Madrid as a second-half substitute for Thierry Henry, and scored his eighth goal of the campaign.[52] He finished with eleven goals and four assists in all but two of Barcelona's first fifteen league matches. Barcelona capped off 2009 by winning the 2009 FIFA Club World Cup against Estudiantes on 19 December 2009.[53]

Ibrahimović signing autographs for fans in 2010.

Ibrahimović scored Barcelona's only goal in the 2009–10 Copa del Rey first leg match of the round of sixteen in a 2–1 loss to Sevilla on 5 January 2010. On 20 January, he was selected in the 2009 UEFA Team of the Year.[54] His first goal of 2010 came on 14 February against Atlético Madrid. In his next appearance, Ibrahimović scored against Stuttgart in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League knockout stage fixture. He was sent off on 6 March in a league match against Almería, which Barcelona appealed to no avail, and he was suspended for one game.[55] A calf strain during warmups before the next La Liga match following his return from suspension against Athletic Bilbao ruled Ibrahimović out of the second leg 4–1 victory over Arsenal, in which he scored two goals away from home, the return leg of the El Clásico against Madrid (which Barcelona won 2–0),[56] and the next league match against Deportivo La Coruña. He made his return as a substitute in the 82nd minute in against Espanyol.

Ibrahimović finished the season with a sixth-best 16 league goals, as Barcelona won La Liga with 99 points in 38 matches. He scored his final goal for Barcelona in a Spanish Super Cup match on 14 August in a 3–1 defeat over Sevilla, and on 25 August, he played his last match for the club against A.C. Milan for the Joan Gamper Trophy, after which he claimed to the media that his relationship with coach Pep Guardiola had started deteriorating and that Guardiola had not spoken to him since February.[57]

Milan

Ibrahimović in A.C. Milan colours in a Champions League match in October 2010 against Real Madrid

On 28 August 2010, A.C. Milan announced on their official website that they had acquired the services of Ibrahimović for the 2010–11 season. He was loaned out to Milan for the season, with the club having the option to purchase him outright from Barcelona for €24 million at the end of the season.[58][59] He made his team debut in a 2–0 loss to Cesena on 11 September, in which he missed a penalty late in the match,[60] and scored his first goals for the club when Milan defeated Auxerre in their first Champions League match of the season on 15 September. On 14 November, Ibrahimović scored the only goal in a 1–0 victory against his former club Inter in the Derby della Madonnina. On 20 November, he scored his seventh goal against Fiorentina in the 45th minute with an over-the-head bicycle kick, passing Alexandre Pato as the team's top goal scorer for the season. On 4 December 2010, in a game against Brescia, he assisted Kevin-Prince Boateng to give Milan an early lead and then scored the third goal by a powerful shot near the edge of the penalty box to give Milan a 3–0 win. On 12 December 2010, history repeated himself in the game against Bologna after he assisted Kevin-Prince Boateng to give Milan an early lead once again and scoring later that match to make it 3–0, leading him to 13 goals with 8 assists in 21 matches in all competitions, after which he has been compared to Milan legend Marco van Basten by both the media and van Basten himself.[6][8][61]

Ibrahimović received a three-match ban, after getting a red card in a 1–1 home draw against Bari in March 2011 for punching Bari defender Marco Rossi in the stomach.[62] An additional three-match ban was given to Ibrahimović in February 2012, in a 1–2 home defeat against Fiorentina, for swearing at an assistant referee. Ibrahimović stated in his defense that he was talking to himself in frustration.[63] He won his first Scudetto with Milan after a stalemate against Roma. All agreements between Milan and Barcelona were confirmed on 18 June 2011.[64]

In the first official match of the 2011–12 season, Ibrahimović opened it in the best possible way scoring the first goal of a comeback to beat city rivals Inter in the Italian Super Cup. He also scored Milan's first goal of their 2011–12 Serie A season in a 2–2 draw against Lazio. He scored his third goal in the first three games in Milan's Champions League game against Czech club Viktoria Plzeň from the penalty spot and assisted the second goal. Ibrahimović justified his tag of the carrier of Milan by scoring in many games, yet still providing many assists. He scored in the next UEFA Champions League game against BATE Borisov, a goal in Milan's 4–1 win over Parma and two more in their 2–3 win over Roma, ending a successful month of October. November he scored in consecutive games against BATE, in the Champions League, and Catania, in the league. In the encounter between Milan and Barcelona, Ibrahimović scored against his old club to equalise the game at 1–1 but eventually Barça ran away 3–2 winner at the San Siro. He ended November with a brace against Chievo, his first goal took his tally of goals in Serie A to 100 goals, and the second from the penalty spot. Ibrahimović in December scored a goal in each of five Serie A games. 2012 started as he scored against Atalanta converting a penalty kick. He was the top goalscorer of Serie A, with 14 goals in 16 appearance, after the brace against Novara, of which second goal, came after cheeky backheel. On 5 January 2012 in a match against Napoli on continuation of Serie A, Ibra awarded a red card for slapping Salvatore Aronica in an off-the-ball incident and will rule out of Milan's next three games.[65] On 15 February, in the 2011–12 Champions League season, Ibrahimović set up all two Robinho's goals and also scored by a spot kick, thus helping Milan win 4–0 over Arsenal.[66] He finished the season as Serie A top scorer with 28 goals in 32 matches.[67]

Paris Saint-Germain

2012–13 season

Ibrahimović unveiled by Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo (right) and President Nasser Al-Khelaifi (left)

On 17 July 2012, Paris Saint-Germain confirmed that they had reached an agreement to acquire the sporting and economic rights of Ibrahimović from A.C. Milan, having already agreed personal terms with the striker, for an initial transfer fee of around €20 million, making Ibrahimović the most expensive footballer in combined transfer fees. Valued at €180 million, these combined fees eclipsed those commanded by Nicolas Anelka. His three-year contract would see him receive a net annual salary of €14 million including bonuses (which would be €2 million more than what he was earning per year just before he left Milan), and make him the second best paid footballer in the world behind Cameroon's Samuel Eto'o.[68][69][70]

Ibrahimović greets PSG fans on the day he signed for the club, 18 July 2012

The following day, Ibrahimović signed the contract[71] and made the following statement during the press conference: "It is a big step in my career and another dream come true. I am very happy because it is a project that I want to be involved in. I want to be part of the history of the club. I am here to win and nothing else."[72]

Ibrahimović scored twice in the second half for PSG to help them rally from 2–0 down at half-time to salvage a 2–2 home draw with Lorient in their opening 2012–13 Ligue 1 match.[73] He scored two goals in the first half to help PSG to a 2–1 win over Lille which was PSG's first Ligue 1 win after three successive draws in the first three league matches of the 2012–13 season.[74]

We haven't had a goalscorer like him in France for a long time. He is on a different planet to anyone else.

“
”
— Jean-Pierre Papin on Ibrahimović[8]

In the opening 2012–13 UEFA Champions League Group A match against Dynamo Kyiv on 18 September 2012, Ibrahimović scored his sixth goal in only his fifth appearance for Carlo Ancelotti's side through a penalty. He thus became the first man to score for six clubs in the UEFA Champions League.[75] On 8 October 2012, Ibrahimović became only the third player (after Ronaldinho and Laurent Blanc) to have played in the El Clásico in Spain, the Derby della Madonnina in Italy and the Le Classique, the derby between Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain. He scored both of PSG's goals (the first goal was from a backheel and the second was from a free kick) in the Ligue 1 Classique derby at the Stade Vélodrome on that day, with the match finishing 2–2.[76] On 11 December 2012, he scored a hat-trick in a 4–0 away win against Valenciennes.[77]

In January 2013, Ibrahimović was handed the number 10 jersey after the departure of Brazilian winger Nené. In April 2013, Ibrahimović scored in a 2–2 draw against his former club Barcelona in the quarter finals of the Champions League. However, PSG were knocked out on away goals after drawing 1–1 at Camp Nou in the second leg. He ended the season as assists leader in the 2012–13 Champions League,[78] providing 7 assists.

On 12 May 2013, Paris Saint-Germain won the Ligue 1 title after a 1–0 away win against Olympique Lyonnais, their third title and first since 1994.[79][80][81][82] He ended the year as Ligue 1's top goalscorer with 30 goals, becoming the first player to reach that mark in the French top flight since Jean-Pierre Papin in the 1989–90 season.[83] On 20 May 2013, he was named as Ligue 1's player of the year by the Union nationale des footballeurs professionnels (UNFP).[84][85]

2013–14 season

Ibrahimović netted his first goal of the season on 31 August 2013, scoring deep into stoppage time as PSG recorded a 2–0 victory over Guingamp.[86] On 24 September, it was announced that Ibrahimović had extended his contract with Paris Saint-Germain, which now will expire in 2016.[87] A week later on 2 October, the Swede scored twice as PSG ran out 3–0 winners over Benfica in a Champions League group match.[88]

On 19 October, he scored two goals in PSG's 4–0 win over Bastia, one an audacious volleyed back heel as he reached behind the defender to fire the ball into the net.[89] The goal was later named as Ligue 1's goal of the season.[90] Four days later, Ibrahimović scored four goals in PSG's 5–0 away win against RSC Anderlecht in the Champions League - he scored the eighth-fastest hat-trick in the competition's history and become the eleventh player to score four times or more in a Champions League match.[91] The third goal of the four was clocked at a speed of 93 mph.[92]

On 16 March 2014, Ibrahimović scored both goals in a 2–0 win over Saint-Étienne to surpass Carlos Bianchi's club record of 39 goals in a season.[93] On 11 May, he was named Ligue 1's player of the year for the second consecutive season.[90]

Ibrahimović ended the Ligue 1 season as top scorer with 26 goals as PSG won a second consecutive league title.[94] Overall, he scored 41 goals in all competitions, including ten in eight Champions League matches.[95]

2014–15 season

Ibrahimović scored his first two goals for Paris Saint Germain on 2 August 2014 against Guingamp in the 2014 Trophée des Champions, winning his first silverware of the season.[96] In the first league match of the season, Ibrahimović scored twice but also missed an open net and had a penalty saved as PSG drew 2−2 with Stade de Reims.[97] Ibrahimović scored his first league hat-trick of the season in a match against Saint-Étienne on 31 August.[98]

In the quarter-finals of the Coupe de la Ligue on 13 January 2015, Ibrahimović scored the only goal to win away at Saint-Étienne. The home team argued that the ball had not crossed the line, and fans threw objects onto the pitch, disrupting play for 10 minutes.[99]

On 11 March, Ibrahimović received a straight red card in a Champions League round of 16 match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, for a foul on Oscar. PSG drew 2–2 after extra time to qualify for the quarter-finals on away goals.[100] Nine days later, he scored a hat-trick in a 3–0 win over Lorient at the Parc des Princes.[101][102][103] He netted another hat-trick on 8 April as PSG reached the 2015 Coupe de France Final with a 4–1 win over Saint-Étienne, starting with a penalty for his 100th goal for the club. He ended the match with 102 career goals for PSG, second only to Pauleta.[104][105][106] Three days later, he scored twice as PSG defeated Bastia 4–0 in the 2015 Coupe de la Ligue Final. The first goal was a penalty which he won when fouled by Sebastian Squillaci, resulting in the Bastia captain's dismissal.[107]

International career

Ibrahimović made his debut for the Sweden national football team in 2001 and has become the all time leading goal scorer for his national team

Even though Ibrahimović was eligible to play for Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, he chose to play for Sweden, his country of birth.[108]

Ibrahimović made his debut in a 0–0 friendly draw against the Faroe Islands at Tipshallen on 31 January 2001 during the 2000–01 Nordic Football Championship.[109][110] On 7 October 2001, he played his first competitive match, a 2002 World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan, scoring in a 3–0 win. Ibrahimović was part of Sweden's 2002 FIFA World Cup finals squad who were eliminated in the round of 16 by newcomers Senegal.[111]

During 2006 World Cup qualification, Ibrahimović scored four goals in a 7–0 victory away to Malta on 4 September 2004. He did not score during the 2006 World Cup finals as Sweden were knocked out in the round of 16, this time by Germany.[112]

He was called up for a Euro 2008 qualifier against Liechtenstein on 6 September 2006, but two days before the match, he violated team curfew by leaving the hotel with teammates Christian Wilhelmsson and Olof Mellberg and visiting a nightclub. Though none of the players consumed any alcohol, they were nonetheless all sent home by manager Lars Lagerbäck as punishment and did not take part in the match. Mellberg and Wilhelmsson did not appeal the coach's decision, but Ibrahimović felt that it was unjust and therefore refused to take part in Sweden's next qualifiers against Iceland and Spain. He also refused to partake in a friendly against Egypt on 7 February 2007, but ended his self-imposed boycott a month later,[113] and returned for Sweden's loss to Northern Ireland on 28 March. He did not score in any of the 12 qualifying matches. Ibrahimović was awarded the 2007 Swedish Golden Ball as the "Country's Top Player of the Year."[114]

Ibrahimović ended his international goal drought, which had lasted for over two years, against Greece in Sweden's Euro 2008 opener on 10 June 2008, and the next match against Spain four days later.[115][116] He finished the tournament with two goals as Sweden were eliminated in the group stage by Russia.[117]

Ibrahimović scored a goal in a 4–0 win against Malta on 10 June 2009 in a 2010 World Cup qualifier.[118] On 5 September 2009, he scored a last second goal in Stadium Puskás Ferenc against Hungary in a 2–1 win for Sweden in their qualification match.[119]

Ibrahimović playing for Sweden at UEFA Euro 2012

Ahead of Euro 2012 qualification, Ibrahimović was named team captain on his return to the national team. He scored his first goals of the qualifying game against San Marino where he scored the first and fifth goals in a 6–0 win in front of over 21,000 home fans despite being down to 10 men for over an hour. His next goals came in the form of a hat-trick against Finland whom they beat 5–0.

At the Euro 2012 finals, Ibrahimović scored the opening goal in Sweden's first game against Ukraine.[120] He then scored with a volley, later considered the goal of the tournament, to open the score in Sweden's 2–0 win against France[121] in the last group match. Despite the victory, Sweden was knocked out in the group stage.

In October 2012, Ibrahimović scored Sweden's first goal as they came from 4–0 down to draw 4–4 in a 2014 World Cup qualifier against Germany in Berlin.[122] It was the first time in its history that the German national team had not won a match after leading by four goals.[123]

On 14 November 2012, he scored all four goals in a 4–2 win over England in the first ever match at the Friends Arena.[124][125] His fourth goal, a 35-yard overhead kick with his back to goal, won him praise from players and pundits, with the BBC describing it as a goal that "combined unfathomable imagination and expert technique".[126] It would win the 2013 FIFA Puskás Award for Goal of the Year.[10]

On 14 August 2013, Ibrahimović scored another international hat-trick at the Friends Arena, scoring Sweden's first three goals in a 4–2 friendly win against Scandinavian rivals Norway.[127] Ibrahimović ended Sweden's qualifying campaign with eight goals, including two in a play-off defeat to Portugal, as the team failed to reach the 2014 World Cup.[128]

On 4 September 2014, Ibrahimović scored his 50th international goal in a 2–0 friendly match victory over Estonia, making him the Swedish national team's all-time leading goalscorer. Earlier in the same match, he equaled Sven Rydell's record of 49 by scoring the opening goal.[129] On 8 September, he made his 100th appearance for Sweden in a UEFA Euro 2016 qualifier against Austria at the Ernst Happel Stadion in Vienna.[130]

Style of play

Ibrahimović has been described by ESPN as being "good in the air, tall, strong and agile, he plays well with his back to goal and boasts some of the best finishing, vision, passing and ball control around."[6] Although he has been criticised for his work-rate in big matches, he has scored in some of the biggest matches in football including the Milan Derby in Italy, El Clásico in Spain, Le Classique in France, and UEFA Champions League and UEFA Euro Championship games against some of the strongest opponents in football.[131][132][133][134][135] Ibrahimović is the only player to have scored for six different clubs in the Champions League.[136] Tactically, Ibrahimović is capable of playing anywhere along the front line, although he is most often deployed as a striker, or as a creative supporting forward, which allows him to provide assists for team mates.[137][138][139]

Due to his prolific goal scoring and spectacular strikes,[140][141][142] Ibrahimović is regarded by many in the sport to be one of the best players in the world and one of the most complete strikers of his generation.[143] He has however been criticised for his aggression and rebellious character at times.[141][144][145] In 2007, The Times placed him at number 44 in their list of the 50 hardest footballers in history.[146] Due to his powerful shots and volleys from inside and outside the penalty area with both feet and on dead ball situations, his agility, acrobatic ability in the air, physicality, skill, finishing and technique, Ibrahimović has frequently been compared to Dutch legend Marco van Basten.[144][147][148][149] Despite this comparison, Ibrahimović has stated that his main influence was his idol, former Brazilian superstar Ronaldo, whom he regards as the greatest player of all time.[150]

Controversies

Ibrahimović has been involved in several violent incidents with teammates, some of which have gone viral on the internet. In 2011, Ibrahimović kicked teammate Antonio Cassano in the face while Cassano was speaking to reporters.[151] Ibrahimović has also kicked teammates Christian Wilhelmsson and Rodney Strasser during training, both caught on camera.[152][153]

After a 2004 international friendly against the Netherlands, Ajax teammate Rafael van der Vaart publicly accused Ibrahimović of deliberately injuring him during the game. Ibrahimović responded by threatening to break both of Van der Vaart's legs.[154] Ibrahimović also punched Ajax teammate Mido in the dressing room.[154]

During his spell at Barcelona, Ibrahimović had a falling-out with Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola, culminating in a dressing room incident in which Ibrahimović threw a training kit box across the room and screamed insults at Guardiola. Guardiola eventually refused to speak to Ibrahimović and loaned him out to A.C. Milan.[155] Barcelona vice-president Carles Vilarrubi reported that Ibrahimović threatened to publicly beat up Guardiola if he was not released to A.C. Milan.[156]

In 2010, Ibrahimović was involved in a training ground fist-fight with Milan teammate Oguchi Onyewu, after Ibrahimović made a two-footed tackle on him, then headbutted him. The session was abandoned after the two players were separated, and Ibrahimović suffered a broken rib. Onyewu had accused Ibrahimović of repeatedly insulting him.[154][157]

In March 2011, Ibrahimović was given a three-match ban for punching Bari defender Marco Rossi in the stomach during a game.[158] He received another three-match ban in February 2012 for slapping Napoli player Salvatore Aronica.[159]

After Sweden's 1–0 victory over the Faroe Islands in October 2012, Faroes captain Fróði Benjaminsen accused Ibrahimović of foul play and insults, describing him as "arrogant", "childish", "ignorant" and a "dirty player".[160]

In November 2012, Ibrahimović received a two-match ban for kicking Saint-Étienne goalkeeper Stéphane Ruffier in the chest.[161][162] In December 2012, Ibrahimović was accused by Lyon defender Dejan Lovren and president Jean-Michel Aulas of deliberately stamping on Lovren's head.[163] In February 2013, UEFA handed Ibrahimović a two-match ban for stamping on Valencia winger Andrés Guardado.[164][165] In March 2013, PSG winger Lucas Moura claimed that Ibrahimović regularly insulted team-mates, stating “He always asks for the ball and insults a lot. He is sometimes a bit arrogant and complains.”[166] Lucas later claimed, though, that the interview was twisted and badly translated.[167] In May 2013, Ibrahimović was filmed screaming at sporting director Leonardo after PSG's title victory.[168]

Ibrahimović's forceful comments on the disparity of achievements by and treatment of male and female footballers, including a suggestion that rewarding the woman with most national-team appearances with anything more than "a bike with [his] autograph on it" when her male counterpart received a car was "devaluing" the man's achievements, provoked reactions that his remarks highlighted "failings in the basic values of male football" and showed a lack of respect.[169]

In January 2015, Lyon coach Hubert Fournier accused Ibrahimović of abusing officials, stating that "All the referees in this league get insulted by this person."[170]

In March 2015, after a loss by PSG in a Ligue 1 match, Ibrahimović angrily ranted "In 15 years I’ve never seen a [good] referee in this shit country ... [they] don’t even deserve PSG". He later apologised, but was criticised by French politicians,[171][172] and Ligue 1 imposed a four-match ban.[173]

Personal life

Ibrahimović inscription on the Walk of Fame in his hometown Malmö

Ibrahimović has two siblings and three half-siblings. His longtime partner is Helena Seger with whom he has two sons: Maximilian (born 22 September 2006) and Vincent (born 6 March 2008). He currently resides in Paris, although he still has a home in Malmö where he spends his summers. Ibrahimović received an honorary black belt in taekwondo; he attended classes at the Malmö Taekwondo club Enighet (English: Unity) as a child.[174] Ibrahimović is fluent in five languages; Swedish, Bosnian, English, Spanish and Italian.[14][175] In a February 2011 interview with Eurosport, Ibrahimović stated that one of his role models is boxing legend Muhammad Ali: "[Muhammad Ali] is one of my role models, one of my idols in sport and outside the sport also (sic)...he believed in his [principles] and he never gave [them] up."[176] Ibrahimović has stated that he is a Catholic.[177][178][179]

The name Zlatan was trademarked in May 2003 at the Swedish Patent and Registration Office for "most likely being perceived as Zlatan Ibrahimović", which meant that he received exclusive rights to the name for certain products, including sporting goods, clothing, and shoes.[180] He is under contract with Nike and features in their television advertising.[181] He wears the Nike Mercurial boot line and has the names and dates of birth of his sons embedded onto the external sides of his boots.

In the fall of 2007, Ibrahimović, with the help of Nike, self-funded Zlatan Court in the streets of the city district Rosengård in his hometown Malmö: he provided a playing mat, goalposts, lighting, and a modern fence.[182] In 2008, he donated new Nike kits to his youth club, FBK Balkan.[183]

While in Malmö with the national team in September 2012, Ibrahimović was honoured with the inscription of his name on the city's "Walk of Fame of Sports".[184] The Swedish Post Office issued a set of five postage stamps featuring Ibrahimovic in March 2014.[185] Zlatan features in EA Sports' FIFA video game series, and was the fourth highest rated player in FIFA 15.[186]

On 11 August 2014, Ibrahimović paid US$51,000 to send the Swedish national football team for the intellectually disabled to the INAS World Football Championships in Brazil. After teammates Johan Elmander, Kim Källström, Andreas Isaksson and Per Nilsson donated autographed jerseys to be auctioned off for the cause, Zlatan responded, "What the hell are you going to do with a shirt? How much is it to go?".[187][188]

On 14 February 2015 in a league match against Caen, Ibrahimović took off his shirt after scoring a goal to unveil the removable tattooed names of 50 people suffering from hunger around the world, in a gesture to raise awareness for famine in accordance with the United Nations World Food Programme.[189]

Career statistics

Club

As of 20 March 2015[190]
Club Season League Cup Europe1 Other2 Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Malmö FF 1999 61———61
2000 2612———2612
2001 83———83
Total 4016———4016
Ajax 2001–02 2463162—339
2002–03 251333135104221
2003–04 22131082—3115
2004–05 33——1043
Total 7435742792011048
Juventus 2004–05 351600100—4516
2005–06 3572093104710
Total 702320193109226
Internazionale 2006–07 27151070103615
2007–08 26170075103422
2008–09 35253381104729
Total 8857432263011766
Barcelona 2009–10 291621104404521
2010–11 ———1111
Total 291621104514622
Milan 2010–11 29144384—4121
2011–12 32283185114435
Total 614274169118556
Paris Saint-Germain 2012–13 34303293004635
2013–14 332645810104541
2014–15 21173552243128
Total 88731012221534122104
Career totals 450262322411646156613338

1 Includes the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup / Europa League matches.

2 Includes the Coupe de la Ligue, Johan Cruijff Shield, Supercoppa Italiana, Supercopa de España, Trophée des champions, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup matches.

International

[191][192][193][194][195][196][197]

National teamYearAppsGoals
Sweden U21 200176
Total76

[198]

National teamYearAppsGoals
Sweden
200151
2002102
200343
2004128
200554
200660
200770
200872
200962
201043
2011113
2012811
2013119
201453
201523
Total10354

International goals

Scores and results list Sweden's goal tally first.[199]
Goal Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
1. 7 October 2001 Råsunda Stadium, Solna, Sweden  Azerbaijan 3–0 3–0 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
2. 21 August 2002 Lokomotiv Stadium, Moscow, Russia  Russia 1–1 1–1 Friendly
3. 12 October 2002 Råsunda Stadium, Solna, Sweden  Hungary 1–1 1–1 UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying
4. 30 April 2003 Råsunda Stadium, Solna, Sweden  Croatia 1–1 1–2 Friendly
5. 6 September 2003 Ullevi, Gothenburg, Sweden  San Marino 3–0 5–0 UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying
6. 5–0
7. 31 March 2004 Ullevi, Gothenburg, Sweden  England 1–0 1–0 Friendly
8. 14 June 2004 Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal  Bulgaria 4–0 5–0 UEFA Euro 2004
9. 18 June 2004 Estádio do Dragão, Porto, Portugal  Italy 1–1 1–1 UEFA Euro 2004
10. 18 August 2004 Råsunda Stadium, Solna, Sweden  Netherlands 2–2 2–2 Friendly
11. 4 September 2004 Ta' Qali National Stadium, Ta' Qali, Malta  Malta 1–0 7–0 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
12. 2–0
13. 3–0
14. 5–0
15. 4 June 2005 Ullevi, Gothenburg, Sweden  Malta 4–0 6–0 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
16. 3 September 2005 Råsunda Stadium, Solna, Sweden  Bulgaria 3–0 3–0 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
17. 7 September 2005 Ferenc Puskás Stadium, Budapest, Hungary  Hungary 1–0 1–0 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
18. 12 October 2005 Råsunda Stadium, Solna, Sweden  Iceland 1–1 3–1 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
19. 10 June 2008 Wals-Siezenheim Stadium, Salzburg, Austria  Greece 1–0 2–0 UEFA Euro 2008
20. 14 June 2008 Tivoli-Neu, Innsbruck, Austria  Spain 1–1 1–2 UEFA Euro 2008
21. 10 June 2009 Ullevi, Gothenburg, Sweden  Malta 3–0 4–0 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
22. 5 September 2009 Ferenc Puskás Stadium, Budapest, Hungary  Hungary 2–1 2–1 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
23. 11 August 2010 Råsunda Stadium, Solna, Sweden  Scotland 1–0 3–0 Friendly
24. 7 September 2010 Swedbank Stadion, Malmö, Sweden  San Marino 1–0 6–0 UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying
25. 5–0
26. 7 June 2011 Råsunda Stadium, Solna, Sweden  Finland 2–0 5–0 UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying
27. 3–0
28. 4–0
29. 29 February 2012 Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb, Croatia  Croatia 1–0 3–1 Friendly
30. 30 May 2012 Gamla Ullevi, Gothenburg, Sweden  Iceland 1–0 3–2 Friendly
31. 5 June 2012 Råsunda Stadium, Solna, Sweden  Serbia 2–1 2–1 Friendly
32. 11 June 2012 Olympic Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine  Ukraine 1–0 1–2 UEFA Euro 2012
33. 19 June 2012 Olympic Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine  France 1–0 2–0 UEFA Euro 2012
34. 12 October 2012 Tórsvøllur, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands  Faroe Islands 2–1 2–1 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
35. 16 October 2012 Olympiastadion, Berlin, Germany  Germany 1–4 4–4 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
36. 14 November 2012 Friends Arena, Solna, Sweden  England 1–0 4–2 Friendly
37. 2–2
38. 3–2
39. 4–2
40. 11 June 2013 Friends Arena, Solna, Sweden  Faroe Islands 1–0 2–0 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
41. 2–0
42. 14 August 2013 Friends Arena, Solna, Sweden  Norway 1–0 4–2 Friendly
43. 2–2
44. 3–2
45. 10 September 2013 Astana Arena, Astana, Kazakhstan  Kazakhstan 1–0 1–0 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
46. 11 October 2013 Friends Arena, Solna, Sweden  Austria 2–1 2–1 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
47. 19 November 2013 Friends Arena, Solna, Sweden  Portugal 1–1 2–3 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
48. 2–1
49. 4 September 2014 Friends Arena, Solna, Sweden  Estonia 1–0 2–0 Friendly
50. 2–0
51. 15 November 2014 Podgorica City Stadium, Podgorica, Montenegro  Montenegro 1–0 1–1 UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying
52. 27 March 2015 Zimbru Stadium, Chișinău, Moldova  Moldova 1–0 2–0 UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying
53. 2–0
54. 31 March 2015 Friends Arena, Solna, Sweden  Iran 1–0 3–1 Friendly

Honours

Club

Ajax
Juventus
Internazionale
Barcelona
Milan
Paris Saint-Germain

Individual

Discography

Singles

Year Album Peak positions
SWE
2014 "Du gamla, Du fria"
(Zlatan featuring Day)
(Produced by Max Martin)[200]		 13

References

  1. ↑ "FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2009 presented by Toyota: List of Players" (PDF). FIFA. 1 December 2009. p. 1. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
  2. ↑ "Ibrahimovic Zlatan". Paris Saint-Germain. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
  3. ↑ "Spelprogram – P18 Träningslandskamp" (in Swedish). Svenskfotboll. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
  4. ↑ "Zlatan Ibrahimovic". ESPN FC. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  5. ↑ "World's Highest Paid Footballer's Revealed". talksport.co.uk. Retrieved 6 November 2011.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "Zlatan Ibrahimovic Biography". ESPN. Retrieved 15 November 2013
  7. ↑ "Zlatan Ibrahimovic: From teenage outcast to world great". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 May 2014
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "Papin: Ibrahimovic is like Van Basten". FIFA.com. Retrieved 15 November 2013
  9. ↑ "Mourinho: Ibrahimovic is better than Ronaldo". ESPN. Retrieved 17 May 2014
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Zlatan wins FIFA's goal of the year award for unbelievable bicycle kick against England". Daily Mail. Retrieved 14 January 2014
  11. ↑ "The 100 best footballers in the world 2013 – interactive". The Guardian. 20 December 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  12. ↑ "Zlatan Ibrahimovic: Striker fumes as Borg is top sporting Swede". BBC. 23 December 2014. Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  13. ↑ Burton, Fred (2 October 2014). Under Fire. Icon Books. p. 224. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Hawkey, Ian (11 December 2005). "The Big Interview: Zlatan Ibrahimović". The Sunday Times (London). Retrieved 13 April 2009.
  15. ↑ "Uzbudljiva autobiografije svjetske zvijezde od subote u prodaji! 'Bio sam problematičan tinejdžer iz kvarta, krao bicikle i uživao u tome'". Dražen Krušelj (in Croatian) (Jutarnji list).
  16. ↑ "Zlatan Ibrahimović" (in Swedish). Evolvia. Retrieved 28 May 2009.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Rosenberg – för mig är han högerback". Sydsvenskan (in Swedish). Retrieved 28 May 2009.
  18. ↑ Jönsson, Jan (23 June 2001). "Så blev Zlatan stor". Sydsvenskan (in Swedish). Retrieved 28 May 2009.
  19. ↑ "Zlatan Ibrahimovic hails Ronaldo as best player he has ever played against". Daily Mail. Retrieved 3 August 2014
  20. ↑ "How Zlatan Ibrahimovic nearly joined Arsenal". thespoiler.co.uk. Retrieved 24 April 2009.
  21. ↑ "Historien om MFF" (in Swedish). mff.se. Archived from the original on 8 February 2009.
  22. ↑ "Group stage". UEFA. Retrieved 12 January 2015
  23. ↑ "Second group stage". UEFA. Retrieved 12 January 2015
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Career – Zlatanibrahimovic.net. Retrieved 7 December 2008
  25. ↑ Player Profile: Rafael van der Vaart – realmadridzone.blogspot.com. Retrieved 7 December 2008
  26. ↑ "Operations concerning Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Fabrizio Miccoli registration rights" (PDF). Juventus. 31 August 2004. Retrieved 26 July 2009.
  27. ↑ "Guldbollen 2005 till Zlatan Ibrahimovic". – svenskfotboll.se. Retrieved 7 December 2008
  28. ↑ "Ibrahimovic set to take legal action to escape from Juve". The independent. Retrieved 7 December 2008
  29. ↑ "Zlatan ibrahimovic signs for inter". Internazionale. 10 August 2006. Retrieved 26 July 2009.
  30. ↑ "Agreement with F.C. Internazionale S.p.A." (PDF). Juventus. 10 August 2006. Retrieved 26 July 2009.
  31. ↑ "IBRAHIMOVIC: "INTER, MY TEAM AS A BOY"". Internazionale. 10 August 2006. Retrieved 26 July 2009.
  32. ↑ "INTER'S HISTORIC 2006/07 SERIE A SEASON". F.C. Internazionale Milano. 28 May 2007. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
  33. ↑ "Ibrahimovic: "We're still top"". Internazionale. 26 October 2008. Retrieved 26 July 2009.
  34. ↑ Rory Smith (6 February 2009). "Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Kaka pip Premier League stars in football wages list". The Daily Telegraph (London). Retrieved 21 October 2010.
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 "Inter's blushes spared as Ibrahimovic earns his redemption". The Guardian. 19 May 2008. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
  36. ↑ "Allsvenskan lockar inte Zlatan". Aftonbladet (in Swedish). 16 November 2008. Retrieved 17 November 2008.
  37. ↑ "Laporta announces agreement in principle with Inter". FC Barcelona. 17 July 2009. Retrieved 23 July 2009.
  38. ↑ "USA 09: Ibra returns to Europe". Internazionale. 23 July 2009. Retrieved 26 July 2009.
  39. ↑ "Eto'o on brink of Inter swap". FIFA. PA. 23 July 2009. Retrieved 26 July 2009.
  40. ↑ "Ibra agrees terms with Barça". FIFA. PA. 24 July 2009. Retrieved 26 July 2009.
  41. ↑ "Ibrahimovic to take medical on Monday". FC Barcelona. Retrieved 25 July 2009.
  42. ↑ "Camp Nou gives Ibrahimovic a hero's welcome". FC Barcelona. 27 July 2009. Retrieved 29 July 2009.
  43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 43.2 43.3 "Ibrahimovic signs five-year contract". FCBarcelona.cat (Press release). FC Barcelona. 27 July 2009. Retrieved 27 July 2009.
  44. ↑ "FC Barcelona 2009–10 Annual Report" (PDF). FC Barcelona (in Spanish). Retrieved 29 June 2011. Las altas más significativas del ejercicio corresponden a la adquisición de los derechos federativos y a las primas por fichaje de los jugadores de la primera plantilla de fútbol Zlatan Ibrahimovich, David Villa, Dmitro Txigrinski y Keirrison de Souza, por importe de 69.884, 38.870, 24.668 y 15.540 miles de euros respectivamente.
  45. ↑ FC Internazionale Milano Spa 2009–10 Bilancio. FC Internazionale Milano (in Italian) (Registro Imprese & C.C.I.A.A.). ca. January 2011. Check date values in: |date= (help);
  46. ↑ "Inter, una tripletta in rosso". ju29ro.com. 31 December 2010. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
  47. ↑ "Annual Financial Report at 30 June 2010" (PDF). Juventus FC. 28 October 2010. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  48. ↑ "Pedro goal wins Super Cup for Barcelona". CNN. 28 August 2009. Retrieved 1 September 2009.
  49. ↑
  50. ↑ 2009–10 FC Barcelona season
  51. ↑ "Total football (6–1)". FCBarcelona.cat. 25 October 2009. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
  52. ↑ "FC Barcelona – Real Madrid". FCBarcelona.cat. 29 November 2009. Retrieved 29 November 2009.
  53. ↑ "Barcelona beat Estudiantes to win the Club World Cup". BBC. Retrieved 17MY 2014
  54. ↑ "Barça dominate Team of the Year". UEFA. 20 January 2010. Retrieved 4 December 2010.
  55. ↑ "Barcelona Duo Pep Guardiola & Zlatan Ibrahimovic Slapped With One-Match Ban". Goal.com. 9 March 2010. Retrieved 9 March 2010.
  56. ↑ "Ibrahimovic Set To Miss Clasico Clash". WorldTrack Global. 4 April 2010. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  57. ↑ Macdonald, Paul. (29 August 2010). Pep Guardiola Destroyed My Barcelona Dream – Milan Newboy Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Goal.com. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
  58. ↑ "A.C. MILAN OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE". AC Milan. 28 August 2010. Archived from the original on 31 August 2010.
  59. ↑ "Ibra passes Milan medical". ESPN Soccernet. 30 August 2010. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
  60. ↑ "Cesena 2–0 Milan". Football Italia. 11 September 2010. Retrieved 14 September 2010.
  61. ↑ Mathure, Varun. (15 December 2011). Van Basten sees himself in Ibrahimović. footballitaliano.co.uk. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  62. ↑ "AC Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic banned 3 matches for punch". USA Today. Associated Press. 14 March 2012. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
  63. ↑ "Serie A – Ibrahimovic banned for three games". Eurosport Yahoo. 6 February 2012. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
  64. ↑ "ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC: AN UNSTOPPABLE FORCE". AC Milan. 18 June 2011. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
  65. ↑ Mira, Luis. "Zlatan Ibrahimovic to miss Juventus clash after receiving three-game ban". Goal.com. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
  66. ↑ "AC Milan 4–0 Arsenal: Woeful Gunners humiliated as Robinho, Boateng and Ibrahimovic inspire hosts at San Siro". Goal.com. Retrieved 16 February 2012.
  67. ↑ "AC Milan agree to sell Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva to big-spending PSG". The Telagraph. Retrieved 17 May 2014
  68. ↑ "Ibrahimovic au PSG, c'est fait!". Eurosport. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
  69. ↑ "Zlatan Ibrahimovic presented as PSG player". The Times Of India. 18 July 2012.
  70. ↑ "Que les gros salaires lèvent le doigt". Eurosport. Retrieved 19 July 2012.
  71. ↑ "Zlatan Ibrahimovic joins Paris St-Germain from AC Milan". Retrieved 19 July 2012.
  72. ↑ "PSG prise Ibrahimović away from Milan". UEFA. Retrieved 19 July 2012.
  73. ↑ "Zlatan Ibrahimovic helps PSG draw". Associated Press. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
  74. ↑ "Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice to earn Paris Saint-Germain their maiden victory of the 2012–13 season as the big-spending capital club beat LOSC Lille Métropole 2–1 on Sunday". Ligue 1 website. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  75. ↑ "Ibrahimović-inspired PSG pull apart Dynamo". UEFA. Retrieved 19 September 2012.
  76. ↑ "First half braces from the opposing strikers saw the points shared between Olympique de Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain after a keenly contested draw at the Stade Vélodrome on Sunday night". Ligue 1 website. Retrieved 8 October 2012.
  77. ↑ "Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored a hat-trick as Paris Saint-Germain handed Valenciennes a first home defeat of the season, sweeping aside the northerners 4–0 on Tuesday". LFP. 11 December 2012.
  78. ↑ 78.0 78.1 UEFA Champions League 2012/13 - History - Statistics – UEFA.com
  79. ↑ "David Beckham's Paris St-Germain clinch French title". BBC Sport. 12 May 2013. Retrieved 14 May 2013.
  80. ↑ "PSG wrap up title". ESPN. 12 May 2013. Retrieved 14 May 2013.
  81. ↑ "PSG's 19-year wait for a third title is over". ESPN. 12 May 2013. Retrieved 14 May 2013.
  82. ↑ "Beckham's latest league title celebrations marred by rioting PSG fans as police are forced to intervene with tear gas". Daily Mail (London). 12 May 2013. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  83. ↑ "PSG : Ibrahimovic rejoint la bande à Papin". Football365 (in French). 27 May 2013. Retrieved 30 May 2013.
  84. ↑ "IBRAHIMOVIC TAKES PLAYER OF YEAR GONG". Ligue 1. 20 May 2013. Retrieved 30 May 2013.
  85. ↑ "Ligue 1: PSG's Zlatan Ibrahimovic named player of the season in France". Sky Sports. 20 May 2013. Retrieved 30 May 2013.
  86. ↑ "PSG snatch dramatic late win". ESPNFC. 31 August 2013. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  87. ↑ "Ibrahimovic extends PSG contract until 2016". Goal.com. 24 September 2013. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
  88. ↑ "Ibrahimovic leads romp". ESPNFC. 2 October 2013. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  89. ↑ . Goal.com. 19 October 2013. Missing or empty |title= (help);
  90. ↑ 90.0 90.1 "Zlatan Ibrahimovic: PSG striker wins player of year award". BBC. 12 May 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
  91. ↑ "Bayern, PSG and Madrid move closer to last 16". www.uefa.com. 23 October 2013.
  92. ↑ "Zlatan's done it again! PSG star continues hot streak with FOUR goals as Anderlecht are put to the sword in Belgium". Daily Mail (London). 24 October 2013. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  93. ↑ "Ligue 1 round-up: Ibrahimovic breaks PSG record and Berbatov downs Lyon". The Guardian. 17 March 2014. Retrieved 30 March 2014.
  94. ↑ "Paris St. Germain 4-0 Montpellier". BBC. 17 May 2014. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
  95. ↑ "Paris-SG - Ibrahimovic en dix matches". France Football (in French). Retrieved 18 May 2014.
  96. ↑ "Zlatan double sees PSG win silverware". Fifa.com. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
  97. ↑ "Zlatan Ibrahimovic hero and villain". ESPNFC. 8 August 2014. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  98. ↑ "Zlatan Ibrahimovic scores hat-trick as Paris St Germain rout St Etienne". The Telegraph. 31 August 2014. Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  99. ↑ "Zlatan Ibrahimovic's PSG cup goal provokes supporters". BBC Sport. 14 January 2015. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
  100. ↑ "Chelsea 2-2 Paris St G". BBC. 11 March 2015.
  101. ↑ Begley, Emlyn (20 March 2015). "Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored a hat-trick as Paris St-Germain beat Lorient to go top of Ligue 1.". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 March 2015.
  102. ↑ Swaby, Sean (20 March 2015). "Zlatan Ibrahimovic Performs Filthy Pass, Hits a Hat-Trick for PSG". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 20 March 2015.
  103. ↑ "Zlatan Ibrahimovic records hat trick as PSG go top overnight". ESPN FC. 20 March 2015. Retrieved 20 March 2015.
  104. ↑ Wood, David (8 April 2015). "PSG 4-1 Saint Etienne: Zlatan Ibrahimovic hat-trick takes him past 100 mark as Laurent Blanc's men reach cup final". Daily Mail. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  105. ↑ Abnos, Alexander (8 April 2015). "Watch: Zlatan searches Zlaaatan.com for 'hat trick,' finds one vs. St. Etienne". Sports Illustrated (Planet Futbol). Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  106. ↑ Johnson, Jonathan (8 April 2015). "PSG into Coupe De France Final as Another Ibrahimovic Treble Downs Saint-Etienne". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  107. ↑ Davis, Matt (11 April 2015). "Paris St-Germain beat Bastia 4-0 to win the French League Cup". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
  108. ↑ "Croatia: We wanted Zlatan as well". Aftonbladet (in Swedish). Retrieved 18 August 2009.
  109. ↑ "Zlatan Ibrahimović profile". European Football. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
  110. ↑ "Sweden – Faroe Islands (0–0)". European Football. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
  111. ↑ "Golden day for Senegal". BBC Sport. 16 June 2002. Retrieved 1 September 2009.
  112. ↑ "Germany 2–0 Sweden". BBC Sport. 24 June 2006. Retrieved 1 September 2009.
  113. ↑ "Ibrahimović agrees to return to Sweden side". ESPNsoccernet. Retrieved 2 March 2007.
  114. ↑ "Ibrahimovic wins Swedish Golden Ball award". ESPN. 12 November 2007. Retrieved 4 December 2010.
  115. ↑ McNulty, Phil (10 June 2008). "Greece 0–2 Sweden". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 September 2009.
  116. ↑ Bevan, Chris (14 June 2008). "Sweden 1–2 Spain". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 September 2009.
  117. ↑ "Lagerback devastated by Euro exit". BBC Sport. 18 June 2008. Retrieved 1 September 2009.
  118. ↑ "Report: Sweden vs Malta". ESPN. 10 June 2008. Retrieved 5 September 2009.
  119. ↑ "Sweden defeats Hungary 2–1 in World Cup Qualifier". Fox Soccer. 5 September 2008. Retrieved 5 September 2009.
  120. ↑ "Ukraine 2 Sweden 1". BBC Sport. 11 June 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  121. ↑ "Euro 2012: France get quarterfinal with 2–0 Sweden loss". 20 June 2012.
  122. ↑ Tynan, Gordon (17 October 2012). "nternational round-up: Germany lose four-goal lead as Ibrahimovic inspires Sweden fightback". London: The Independent.
  123. ↑ "German press bemoan 'daft' draw after Zlatan Ibrahimovic inspires Sweden's comeback from 4-0 down". London: The Telegraph. 17 October 2012.
  124. ↑ MacPhail, Cameron (15 November 2012). "Zlatan Ibrahimovic: taekwondo blackbelt key to Swedish striker's goalscoring prowess". The Daily Telegraph (London). Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  125. ↑ Fifield, Dominic (15 November 2012). "Zlatan Ibrahimovic: I liked the first goal more because it was history". Guardian UK (London). Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  126. ↑ "Zlatan Ibrahimovic goal like 'a video game', says Sweden coach". BBC Sport. 14 November 2012. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  127. ↑ "Ibrahimovic scores hat-trick as Sweden beat Norway". Eurosport. 14 August 2013.
  128. ↑ "Statistics". UEFA. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
  129. ↑ "Zlatan Ibrahimovic promises more after breaking Sweden goals record". The Guardian. 6 September 2014. Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  130. ↑ "100 caps for Ibrahimovic". Paris Saint-Germain FC. 9 September 2014. Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  131. ↑ Richard Williams at San Siro (16 February 2012). "Zlatan Ibrahimovic comes back to haunt Arsenal on a painful night". The Guardian (London). Retrieved 18 September 2012.
  132. ↑ McNulty, Phil (31 March 2010). "Football – Arsenal 2–2 Barcelona". BBC News. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
  133. ↑ "Ibrahimovic helps Barcelona upset Madrid". sportsnet.ca. 29 November 2009. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
  134. ↑ "Ibrahimovic silences doubters – The National". Thenational.ae. 18 August 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
  135. ↑ Mao, Sabrina (6 August 2011). "Milan edge out Inter in Super Cup | Reuters". Reuters. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
  136. ↑ "PSG win and AC Milan draw – Champions League round-up". BBC. 18 September 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
  137. ↑ "Ibrahimovic, prima da urlo". Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  138. ↑ "Zlatan fa assist da favola". Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  139. ↑ "Ibrahimovic re degli assist Vieira e Nedved in ombra". Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  140. ↑ "L' Inter e Ibrahimovic Un tacco da Champions". Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  141. ↑ 141.0 141.1 "Ibra, il dottor House del calcio ricco, goleador e insopportabile". Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  142. ↑ "Zlatan Ibrahimovic, lo zingaro cresciuto fra i ghiacci". Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  143. ↑ "Where does Zlatan Ibrahimovic rank amongst the world's best strikers?". Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  144. ↑ 144.0 144.1 "Ibrahimovic, all’ Ajax spunta il Van Basten del terzo millennio] Ibrahimovic, all' Ajax spunta il Van Basten del terzo millennio". Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  145. ↑ "Angry Ibrahimovic hits out at detractors after being told he is too aggressive". Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  146. ↑ "Top 50 Hardest Footballers". http://www.empireonline.com''. The Times. 13 August 2007. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  147. ↑ "Del Piero RE-PUNIZIONE! Pirlo e Miccoli, che fine avete fatto?". Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  148. ↑ "Ibra, maestro di dribbling per Uefa". Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  149. ↑ "Da Meazza a Ibrahimovic Cent'anni di gol nerazzurri". Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  150. ↑ "Zlatan Ibrahimovic meets idol and 'best player of all time' Ronaldo". Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  151. ↑ "Ibrahimovic putting boot to Cassano's head goes viral on YouTube twice: viral video spotlight". The Independent (London). 12 May 2011.
  152. ↑ Zlatan Ibrahimovic kicks Sweden team-mate up the bum over bad tackle | Metro News
  153. ↑ Soccer: Zlatan Ibrahimovic's latest antics - ESPN
  154. ↑ 154.0 154.1 154.2 "I yelled at Van der Vaart: 'Stop the lies or I'll break both your legs' - I wanted to rip another team-mate limb from limb... and how I dragged one scared opponent along like a disobedient dog". Daily Mail (London).
  155. ↑ "Ibrahimovic blames Messi for his flop at Barcelona and brands Guardiola a 'bully'". Daily Mail (London).
  156. ↑ Zlatan Ibrahimovic threatened to beat Pep Guardiola up - Vilarrubi - ESPN FC
  157. ↑ Ibrahimovic and Onyewu brawl during AC Milan practice - ESPN
  158. ↑ "Most Popular E-mail Newsletter". USA Today. 14 March 2011.
  159. ↑ Serie A - Ibrahimovic banned for three games - Yahoo! Eurosport
  160. ↑ Zlatan Ibrahimovic branded arrogant, dirty and childish by Faroes captain | Football | theguardian.com
  161. ↑ Ibrahimovic sent off for karate kick against Saint Etienne - MARCA.com (English version)
  162. ↑ Paris Saint-Germain's Zlatan Ibrahimovic has ban extended - ESPN FC
  163. ↑ "VIDEO: Ibrahimovic accused of stamping on opponent as PSG beat title rivals Lyon". Daily Mail (London).
  164. ↑ "Valencia 1 PSG 2: Lavezzi and Pastore give visitors upper hand before Zlatan sees red". Daily Mail (London).
  165. ↑ "UEFA hand Zlatan Ibrahimovic two-match ban following Valencia red card – Football News – Sky Sports". Sky Sports.
  166. ↑ Lucas: Ibrahimovic insults us a lot - Yahoo Sports
  167. ↑
  168. ↑ Zlatan Ibrahimovic clashes with Leonardo in PSG dressing room – video | Metro News
  169. ↑ "Female footballers strike back at Zlatan". Radio Sweden. 26 December 2013. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  170. ↑ http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/31171730
  171. ↑ "Zlatan Ibrahimovic in trouble again as PSG defeat lets Lyon extend lead". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  172. ↑ "Video: Ibrahimovic blasts France as a 's**t country'". The Local. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  173. ↑ "Zlatan banned over 'France is s**t' rant". The Local: France. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  174. ↑ Holmberg, Ludvig. "Zlatan har fått fotarbetet från taekwondon". Expressen (in Swedish). Retrieved 4 December 2010.
  175. ↑ "Joga Bonito! Seven years after Zlatan v Cristiano in Nike's advert, Sportsmail hears Henrik Larsson's thoughts on the upcoming face off - a man who played with them both". Daily Mail. Retrieved 22 November 2013
  176. ↑ Zlatan Ibrahimovic on Muhammad Ali - YouTube
  177. ↑ "(Spanish) Zlatan Ibrahimovic: "El gol no lo es todo para mí, no estoy preocupado"".
  178. ↑ "(Swedish) Måltorkan inget som oroar Zlatan".
  179. ↑ "(Swedish) Troende Zlatan självkritisk över måltorka".
  180. ↑ InfoDetails. wwwm.prv.se.
  181. ↑ "Nike Football Ad ft. Ronaldo, Neymar Jr., Rooney, Ibrahimovic, Iniesta & others". India Times. Retrieved 8 September 2014
  182. ↑ "(Swedish) Zlatan besöker Rosengård".
  183. ↑ "EXCLUSIVE: FBK Balkan To Receive €144,000 FIFA Solidarity Payment For Zlatan Ibrahimovic Transfer". Goal.com. Retrieved 21 December 2009.
  184. ↑ "Ibrahimovic inducted into Malmo Walk of Fame". The Times of Malta. 10 September 2012. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  185. ↑ Wilson, Alan (28 March 2014). "Fans snap up a jaw-dropping five million Zlatan Ibrahimovic stamps in advance sales". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  186. ↑ "The 10 highest rated players in 'FIFA 15'. USA Today. Retrieved 8 September 2014
  187. ↑ Zlatan Ibrahimovic pays to send Swedish learning disabled team to Brazil for INAS World Cup
  188. ↑ Zlatan: "How much is it to go?"
  189. ↑ Zlatan Ibrahimovic dons temporary tattoos to raise hunger awareness
  190. ↑ "'Pichichi' y centenario". ESPN Soccernet. Retrieved 20 April 2010.
  191. ↑ "U21: 2–0 mot Makedonien". Svenskfotboll (in Swedish). 23 March 2001. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
  192. ↑ "U21 herr: Svensk seger i snömodd". Svenskfotboll (in Swedish). 28 March 2001. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
  193. ↑ "U21 herr: Svenskt målfyrverkeri mot Slovakien". Svenskfotboll (in Swedish). 1 June 2001. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
  194. ↑ "U21 herr: Ny stabil svensk seger". Svenskfotboll (in Swedish). 5 June 2001. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
  195. ↑ "U21 herr: Håglös insats gav 1–1". Svenskfotboll (in Swedish). 1 September 2001. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
  196. ↑ "U21 herr: Turkisk utspelning i en halvlek" (in Swedish). Svenskfotboll.se. 4 September 2001. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
  197. ↑ "U21 herr: Inget EM-avancemang för Sverige" (in Swedish). Svenskfotboll.se. 13 November 2001. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
  198. ↑ Zlatan Ibrahimović at National-Football-Teams.com
  199. ↑ "Zlatan Ibrahimović – Goals in International Matches". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  200. ↑ "Zlatan featuring Day - "Du gamla du fria" page". swedishcharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 February 2014.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Zlatan Ibrahimović.
Wikiquote has quotations related to: Zlatan Ibrahimović
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Anders Svensson		 Sweden captain
2010–present 		Incumbent