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4 • Touchline • Issue 15
here is a story about Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the controversial Swedish
footballer, that tells us just about everything we need to know about the
man. When he was 13, in a clash with another boy from the same youth
team, Zlatan floored the other boy with a head butt and put him into
hospital.
The boy’s father petitioned the club to ban Zlatan. The club took a look at the boy in
hospital, and then a look at his lanky aggressor. No, they said. He is simply too good to
ban.
And so his turbulent career in football started with a blow. That latent, destructive
violence that keeps emerging; versus the incredible skill on the pitch that ensured
clubs have now paid over 120 million euros for his services.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is without doubt Sweden’s greatest football player. Everyone knows
it; most of all Zlatan. His ego is colossal, and he makes a great display of not caring
what anyone thinks. He has clashed with teammates and coaches, the media and even
club owners, burning bridges and creating headlines everywhere he goes.
Having played for Ajax Amsterdam, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan and now
Paris Saint-Germain, Zlatan has not failed to pick up a title win. His trophy cabinet is
full-to-bursting with winners’ medals. His will to win has carried many of his teammates
over the line.
The last shadows of pundit-doubt about Zlatan’s skill –he is too temperamental,
he doesn’t show up for the big games- were blown away with that goal in the 4-1
decimation of England in a 2012 friendly match. When English keeper Joe Hart raced
ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC:
THE
ZLATAN FACTOR
Zlatan Ibramhimovic is
a controversial figure
in football creating
headlines wherever he
goes.
Timothy Mottram
investigates the man
and his ego.
T
We are looking for
an apartment (in
Paris). If we don’t find
anything, then I’ll
probably just buy the
hotel.”
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
© FRANKIE FOUGANTHIN