Did he really call himself the God? In Malmo, his hometown he will forever be Kungen, the King.
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A classic subdued and non-boastful Swede from Malmo? He must have missed the Swedish memo on not calling attention to oneself. But then, he is Zlatan!
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Great subject and a good read! Thanks
I miss Beckham!
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Just go to YouTube and search for “Ibrahimovic best goals.” You’ll find a collection of audacious goals that no one dare I say in the history of soccer can match. Like his persona, when it comes to “crazy,” his goals stand apart.
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Any real soccer fan in the world knows that if there is a god of soccer it is Messi, and his St. Peter could be Ronaldo. Zlatan doesn't even come close. He is a joke actually.
@Salvatore
Any real football fan knows that Messi The Tax-Freud is commercially hyped and has brought his nation zero championships, despite having one of the strongest teams in generations.
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@Rune B.
People that don't know anything about sports always seem to judge players by how many championships their teams win. Any successful coach, and anyone that knows a single thing about sports, knows that a team is comprised of more than one player. And stop dreaming about Argentina being one of the strongest teams in generations - you must have missed the last few World Cups.
One of my favorite players to watch and listen to.
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My son has been a fan of Ibra for 8 years. Having been to MLS games and international matches, it is refreshing to have someone like Ibra playing in the MLS. There is nothing in the US that compares to football overseas and he is bringing a bit of it for us to see live, albeit at the latter part of his career.
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His most iconic goal to me will always be his 1-1 equalizer in the 85th minute for Sweden against Italy in the 2004 European Championships.
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Don't mess with the Zlatan!
The most entertaining footballer in my lifetime.
Read his autobiography if you're interested in more Zlatan.
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Ibra, as he is still called in Italy, is as much an artist as he is a competitor. He is in the same league as Messi and Ronaldo, and like them he has won tons of trophies. But he also cares about scoring beautiful goals, and he always puts inventiveness in his athleticism. He single-handedly invented a new soccer move (called 'the skorpio'), and he will delight everyone who cares to check out his highlights reel on YouTube.
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Recently, the Times wrote a similarly glowing piece about Tottenham's coach, Pochettino. The team has since lost 2 games consecutively, one of them to lowly Burnley. Zlatan will probably get seriously injured in training and sit out the season. Call it the Times jinx.
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@Joe Burnley is not a bottom feeder and they play well at home. But yes. Certainly it was amazing to read the puff piece on Poch, comparing him to Messi while at the same time watching Sours lose and seeing Poch lose his mind with the referee
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Eto’o and a bale of cash for I Am Zlatan...
Worst mistake Pep Guardiola ever made.
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@Paul The simple truth is Pep didn't cope with an ego the size of his own. The great Swede never got a decent break at Barca.
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His success in that first game for Galaxy was tremendous. It was like watching Ali.
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Zlatan Ibrahimovic is the real deal. Take a look @ his career and achievements. Doesn`t get any better -
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zlatan_Ibrahimovi%C4%87
His book " I am Zlatan" gives you a good read about his upbringing in challenging environments. His personality is just what you could accept from any star.
I wish him all the best for the remaining of his career and may he keep shining upon us all with his magic on the playground.
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I love his personality, but don't let that distract you from his ability.
That first MLS goal is amazing, but his 500th overall goal is mindblowing:
https://www.theguardian.com/football/video/2018/sep/17/zlatan-ibrahimovic-scores-500th-career-goal-with-stunning-spinning-volley-video
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@MTS
In many sports we often think of exceptional eye-hand coordination. Well, in that clip, it's exceptional eye-foot coordination.
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@MTS
There is nothing like a healthy ego, but a little more humble may suit me better.
The video you posted of his 500th goal is amazing!!!! Incredible talent - gifted!
At this stage I worry about his knee and his age, but all the power to him if he can keep going.
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Puffery, is indeed in fashion . . .
Gotta like this guy -saw him play when he was with PSG...not bad at all. And a real quote machine to boot!
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I feel like additional notes are needed on this profile piece to fully appreciate Zlatan to be Zlatan. Zlatan's star turn was for Inter Milan after the Juventus cheating scandal of the late 2000's, that was where he was forged into the Zlatan we know now (winning 3 league titles with one, another with AC.). The Milano teams from 10 years ago were still considered European Heavyweights when he joined them and that was where he won the titles to make his name. His time at Barcelona was not productive and saw him butt heads with the coach. PSG strolled to the league during his time there but he did help bring up their profile (helping to lead Neymar to go there, the most consequential transfer in the last decade). And he had just 1 season with Manchester United in transition ( over the last couple of years), not at the height of their pomp. I feel like this article is the beginning of a profile, but without the additional introspection that would make this a top notch profile. Since you have already gotten one interview, maybe you could go back and dive into more of his career as he gets near the end and can reflect on it?
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A group of journalists were interviewing Ibrahimovic: one asked what present he would be getting his [now ex] girlfriend on the occasion of their engagement. A massive diamond?
Ibrahimovic: ‘Present? She got Zlatan - what else she need?’
Legend.
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Lol. Ibrahimovic's the real deal for sure. And a narcissistic one, too. Perfect for Hollywood.
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It is great that he and Wayne Rooney are in MLS not simply to enjoy America and coast, but to integrate into their teams and give their all.
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How can you help but not hope for more sensational moments of genius from this man. May the season's reality match the unceasingly entertaining hype. Break every one of those records Zlatan!
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