His nickname was walking ego: who is Zlatan Ibrahimović?

Ibrahimovic's father, Šefik Ibrahimovic, immigrated to Sweden from Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1977, where he met and married Croatian Jurka Gravic. Zlatan Ibrahimovic was born on October 3, 1981 in Malmö, Sweden. Zlatan's father was Muslim and his mother was Christian. Then they bought Ibrahimovic a pair of soccer shoes and Ibrahimovic started football at the age of 6 and switched to Malmö BI as an amateur. With his team trailing 4-0, he came into the game at halftime and scored eight goals to secure the victory. He started playing regularly for Malmö FF at an early age. He quit football at the age of 15 and worked on a seaside dock. But his coach convinced him to continue playing football. Ibrahimovic finished high school in the 9th grade. He dropped out of college to play football.

He was promoted to captain in 2010 in the Swedish national team, where he played for the first time in 2001.

Zlatan Ibrahimović (born 3 October 1981) is a Swedish professional footballer who plays as a striker for Serie A club AC Milan. Ibrahimović is renowned for his acrobatic strikes and volleys, powerful long-range shots, and excellent technique and ball control. He is regarded as one of the greatest strikers of all time and is one of the most decorated footballers in the world, having won 34 trophies in his career. He has scored over 570 career goals, including more than 500 club goals, and has scored in each of the last four decades.

Ibrahimovic started his club career with Malmö FF in the late 1990s. He signed for Ajax at the request of Ronald Koeman. In 2004, he transferred to Juventus for €16 million. He gained fame in Serie A and paired well with David Trézéguet. In 2006, he transferred to Juventus' arch-rival Inter. In 2007 and 2009, he was named to the squad of the year in Europe. He was top scorer in the 2008-09 season. Transferring to Barcelona in the summer of 2009, Ibrahimovic moved to Milan the following season. Ibrahimovic, who was put on the transfer list due to Milan's economic depression, agreed with Paris Saint-Germain, one of the French teams, for 14 million euros per year during the 2012 summer transfer window. The Milan club earned € 20 million from this transfer.

Ibrahimovic transferred to Barcelona for €69 million as the second most expensive player in history. He also became the 8th highest-paid football player.

In 2012, he was ranked 5th in The Guardian's Top 100 Football Players list. He is one of the most trophy-winning football players in the world, with 32 trophies he won throughout his career.

In addition, Ibrahimovic reached his 300th goal in 5 major leagues in December 2021.

In December 2014, Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter named Ibrahimovic the second greatest Swedish athlete after tennis player Björn Borg. Off the field, Ibrahimovic is also known for his brash personality and outspoken comments.

IS ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC MARRIED?

Ibrahimovic has two siblings and three half-siblings. Ibrahimovic, who has been with Helena Seger for a long time, has two children, Maximilian and Vincent. Ibrahimovic received a black belt in taekwondo at the age of 17. Ibrahimovic is fluent in Swedish, Croatian, Bosnian, English, and Italian.

In an interview in February 2011, Ibrahimovic stated that boxer Muhammad Ali is one of his role models.

WHAT TEAMS DID ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC PLAY FOR?

1999-2001 Malmo

2001-2004 Ajax

2004-2006 Juventus

2006-2009 Inter

2009-2011 Barcelona

2010-2011 Milan (on loan)

2011-2012 Milan

2012-2016 Paris Saint-Germain

2016-2018 Manchester United

2018-2019 Los Angeles Galaxy

2020- Milan

“Zlatan retired not from football, Football Zlatan!”

These words of Sergio Ramos, who played in Paris Saint-Germain, are perhaps the most accurate summary of Zlatan Ibrahimovic's retirement...

Legendary football player Ibrahimovic, who played in Milan, one of the Italian Serie A teams, ended his career with an unforgettable farewell in the 38th and last game of the league played in the first week of June 2023.

After the final whistle of Milan's home match, where they defeated Hellas Verona 3-1, 41-year-old Ibrahimovic, who took the field at the special 'jubilee' ceremony prepared by the red and black teams, was applauded for minutes by the players and fans.

In his speech, the legendary football player, who had emotional moments, said, “You gave me happiness when I first came, love on my second visit… You welcomed me with open arms, you made me feel at home. I have many memories in this field. I will always be a Milan fan. It's time to say goodbye to football, not Milan," he greeted the fans in tears.

Considered perhaps one of the most 'high ego' athletes in the history of sports, Ibrahimovic managed to preserve his unique style during the whistling protest that marked the farewell ceremony of Hellas Verona fans.

During his farewell speech, the legendary star turned to the fans of the guest team because the whistles continued, “You keep booing. This is the greatest moment you will ever see in your life,” he said.