Zlatan Ibrahimović is one of the living legends of world football. With outstanding talent and a powerful playing style, he has left an unforgettable impression on fans. Let’s take a look back at his glorious journey and contributions to the beautiful game. Let’s learn more details about this player with OK 9 through the article below.
Summary of Zlatan Ibrahimović’s biography
Zlatan Ibrahimović was born on October 3, 1981, and is a former Swedish footballer known for his role as a striker. He began his career at Malmö FF before playing for Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan, PSG, Manchester United, LA Galaxy, and eventually returning to AC Milan.
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Ibrahimović won numerous major titles, including four Ligue 1 championships, three Coupe de la Ligue titles, and two UEFA Europa League titles. He remains the all-time leading scorer for the Swedish national team with 62 goals and represented his country in five Euro and World Cup tournaments.
Off the pitch, he is known for his strong personality and controversial statements. In 2016, a statue of Ibrahimović was erected outside Friends Arena in Stockholm to honor his illustrious career.
Club career
Ibrahimović had a remarkable and diverse career, playing for some of Europe’s top clubs.
Malmö FF (1999–2001)
- Career beginnings: Zlatan began his professional career at Malmö FF during the 1999 season in Sweden’s top-tier league, Allsvenskan.
- Rejecting Arsenal: At 17, he famously turned down an offer to trial with Arsenal, saying, “Zlatan doesn’t do auditions,” showcasing his confident demeanor.
- Impressing top clubs: After catching the attention of major teams, particularly Ajax during a training camp in La Manga, Spain, he transferred to Ajax in July 2001 for €7.8 million.
Ajax (2001–2004)
- Challenging start: Under coach Co Adriaanse, Zlatan struggled for game time but became a key player after Ronald Koeman took over, helping Ajax win the 2001–02 Eredivisie.
- Champions League debut: He scored his first Champions League goal in a 2-1 victory against Olympique Lyonnais, tallying four goals during the 2002–03 season.
- Iconic goal: In August 2004, Zlatan scored a spectacular goal against NAC Breda, later voted Goal of the Year by Eurosport.
- Tensions with teammates: A clash with Rafael van der Vaart during a 2004 friendly match with the Netherlands led to his transfer to Juventus for €16 million.
Juventus (2004–2006)
In his debut season at Juventus, Ibrahimović scored 16 goals and became a star striker, particularly during David Trezeguet’s injury. Despite Real Madrid’s €70 million offer, Juventus retained him. However, following the Calciopoli scandal, Juventus was relegated to Serie B, prompting Zlatan to move to Inter Milan for €24.8 million.
Inter Milan (2006–2009)
- Impressive debut: Zlatan scored in his Serie A debut, finishing his first season with 15 goals and helping Inter win the 2006–07 Scudetto.
- Consistent success: He became Inter’s primary scorer, netting five goals in the 2007–08 Champions League and winning three consecutive Serie A titles.
- Transfer to Barcelona: After leading Inter to another Scudetto, Ibrahimović joined Barcelona in 2009 in a deal involving Samuel Eto’o and €46 million.
Later career (2006–2023)
Zlatan shone at Inter Milan before transferring to Barcelona, where his initial success turned sour due to disagreements with Pep Guardiola. In 2010, he moved to AC Milan, where he won a Serie A title.
In 2012, Zlatan joined PSG, scoring 156 goals and securing four Ligue 1 championships. At Manchester United in 2016, he added a Europa League trophy to his collection but suffered injuries. Following a stint with LA Galaxy, where he reached 500 career goals, he returned to AC Milan, helping them win the 2020–21 Serie A before retiring in 2023.
Conclusion
Zlatan Ibrahimović’s legendary career spanned more than two decades, during which he conquered numerous major tournaments and became a symbol of pride. He will forever be remembered as one of the greatest strikers in football history.