When Zlatan Ibrahimovic announced his retirement at the age of 41 on June 4th, he brought an end to a colorful career filled with numerous achievements and an unmatched self-confidence in football.
Typically, when a player retires, statistics such as titles and goals scored provide a general overview of the player. However, for Ibrahimovic, conventional numbers are not enough, even though his 573 goals are indeed "more than the number of matches played by ordinary people," as he proudly stated.
To truly understand Ibrahimovic, one must observe him both on and off the field, to see why a player with an overwhelming ego, always making self-praising statements... is still beloved and makes many teammates shed tears on the day he retires.When Ibrahimovic is mentioned, the first impression is his unique personality. As a teenager, he straightforwardly rejected Arsenal simply because manager Arsene Wenger wanted him to go on a trial. His response to the top English club at that time stunned many: "Zlatan doesn't do auditions." When he made his debut for the Swedish national team, Ibrahimovic competed with his senior teammate Kim Kallstrom for a penalty kick in a victory against San Marino in the Euro 2004 qualifiers. He successfully executed the penalty he earned himself, but no teammate came to celebrate or congratulate him because Ibrahimovic had violated team rules.
However, if he had been submissive and polite since then, the world of football would not have witnessed the Ibrahimovic of today. His strong and arrogant personality was shaped when he was a child growing up in Sweden in an immigrant family, with a Bosnian father and a Croatian mother. In poverty and hunger, Ibrahimovic even resorted to petty theft to earn money to spend.
David Lagercrantz, the author of Ibrahimovic's autobiography "I am Zlatan," once said: "He was hurt by his background and used it as motivation to fight. Zlatan told me that he needed anger to perform better. When Zlatan played with wealthier young players, he always felt insecure because of his shabby clothes and lack of money. And so, Zlatan always told himself, 'One day, I will show them.'"
More than three decades later, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is not just a global superstar but has also been included in the Swedish dictionary with the term "Zlatanera," meaning "to dominate." He has achieved titles almost everywhere he has played, from Ajax Amsterdam, Juventus, Inter, Barcelona, Manchester United, PSG, to AC Milan. Regardless of the location, he always brings numerous goals and countless statements that sell newspapers like hotcakes.
When the striker John Carew commented that Ibrahimovic's flashy performances were "meaningless," he laughed and said that whatever his opponents could do with a football, he could do with an orange. Ibrahimovic has absolute confidence in himself because no average player can become a star at the biggest clubs in Italy, Spain, France, and England.
That personality also made it difficult for him to fit in at Pep Guardiola's Barcelona, and he quickly left after just one year. In a team where everyone obediently followed Guardiola's instructions, the Swedish forward was like a misfit. He couldn't blend in. "When I tried to fit in, say what others wanted me to say, not scold teammates during training sessions, I felt like going crazy. I was sick of it. Zlatan was no longer himself," he summarized in his autobiography.Ibrahimovic is one of the few players who did not progress under the guidance of Guardiola. He even described the renowned coach as a "philosopher without a brain" and mocked Guardiola's tactical approach. "
Despite the controversies, Ibrahimovic is adored by many teammates. No one can forget the tearful moment in 2016 when he bid farewell to Paris Saint-Germain. As soon as the official announcement of his departure was made, his teammates gathered at the Parc des Princes, where the Swedish star climbed onto the podium and sobbed. There were no loud cheers, no farewells, only silence, and tears. They knew they were losing a leader, a talented teammate who had helped PSG reach new heights.
Similarly, when Ibrahimovic made his decision to retire, tears were shed once again. This time, it was the AC Milan players who couldn't hold back their emotions, including his close friend and teammate, Giacomo Bonaventura. On the day of Ibrahimovic's retirement, the Milan dressing room was filled with sadness and disbelief.
Ibrahimovic's unique aura, his charismatic personality, and his extraordinary talents have created an irreplaceable presence in football. His numbers and records may be impressive, but they only scratch the surface of his impact. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a true footballing legend, and his legacy will live on in the hearts of fans and the history of the game.
