Full name:- Zlatan Ibrahimović
Date of birth:- 3 October 1981(age 28)
Place of birth:- Malmö, Sweden
Height:- 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in)[1]
Weight: 84 kg
Playing:- Position Striker
Club career:-
Malmö FF
Ibrahimović signed his first contract with his hometown club Malmö FF in 1996, and moved up to the senior side for the 1999 season of Allsvenskan, Sweden's top-flight league. That season, Malmö finished 13th in the league and were relegated to the second division, but returned to the top flight the next season. Arsène Wenger unsuccessfully tried to persuade Ibrahimović to join, while Leo Beenhakker also expressed interest in the player after watching him in a training match against Norwegian side Moss. On 22 March 2001, a deal between Ajax and Malmö regarding Ibrahimović's transfer to Amsterdam was announced, and in July, Ibrahimović officially joined Ajax for €7.8 million.
Ajax
Ibrahimović received little playing time under manager Co Adriaanse, but when Adriaanse was sacked on 29 November 2001, new coach Ronald Koeman inserted Ibrahimović into the starting lineup as Ajax won the 2001–02 Eredivisie title. The next season, Ibrahimović scored twice in a 2–1 victory over perennial French champions Lyon in his Champions League debut on 17 September 2002. He scored four Champions League goals overall as Ajax fell to Milan in the quarter-finals. In his final season with Ajax, Ibrahimović's profile rose when he scored a breathtaking goal against NAC on 22 August 2004, a goal that was eventually voted the "Goal of the Year" by Eurosport viewers. He netted only once in the 2003–04 Champions League (against Celta Vigo on 22 October) as Ajax were eliminated in the group stage.
Juventus
Ibrahimović moved from Ajax to Juventus for €16 million. He was promptly inserted into the starting eleven due in part to top scorer David Trezeguet's injury problems, and scored sixteen goals. Near the end of the season, Juventus reportedly rejected a €70 million bid for him from Real Madrid, which was later revealed to be a publicity stunt initiated by Ibrahimović's agent, Mino Raiola, in order to increase his market value.[9] On 14 November 2005, he was awarded the Guldbollen, a prize awarded to the best Swedish footballer of the year.
The following season was poor compared to his first season; his role in Juventus' attack changed, as he became less of a goalscorer and moved more to the sidelines, taking much part in the build-up play, especially as a target player, and his assist numbers increased. In the 2005–06 season, Juventus fans often got frustrated with him due to his anonymous presence in certain important games such as the Champions League defeat to Arsenal. Juventus were stripped of their last two Scudetti as part of the verdict from the Calciopoli scandal, and were relegated to Serie B. The new staff tried to persuade Ibrahimović and other top players to stay with Juventus, but the player and his agent were adamant to move on, with Raiola threatening legal action in order to extricate Ibrahimović from his contract.
On 18 August 2004, Ibrahimović injured fellow Ajax teammate Rafael van der Vaart during an international match against the Netherlands, which led to accusations from van der Vaart that Ibrahimović had hurt him intentionally. This led to Ibrahimović's sudden sale to Juventus on 31 August 2004.
Internazionale
Ibrahimović and Mario Balotelli against Palermo in 2009.On 10 August 2006, Ibrahimović completed a €24.8 million move to Internazionale, signing a four-year-deal, this coming only a few days after Patrick Vieira had completed his transfer. Zlatan revealed that he had supported Internazionale when he was young. He started his spell at the club by scoring one goal and assisting another in a league match against Fiorentina and ended his first season as Inter's top goalscorer with 15 goals.
Ibrahimović played his 100th Serie A match on 16 September 2007. His contract was renewed in 2007, it was due to expire in June 2013. He was estimated as the top of footballer wages. He scored two Champions League goals in the group stage against PSV on 2 October, which marked his first European goals since December 2005 and his first goals overall in an Inter jersey, and finished with five goals in seven Champions League matches. Against Parma in the final league matchday on 18 May 2008, he returned from a chronic knee injury and scored both goals as Inter won 2–0, clinching their third straight Scudetto.
On 16 November 2008, Ibrahimović said that he would not return to the Allsvenskan as an active player, but he would stay the rest of his active career as a player abroad.
Ibrahimović's 2008–09 season started brilliantly, hitting the back of the net in Inter's first league match. His goal against Bologna was voted "Goal of the Year". He scored it with his heel without moving and accurately into the net from a cross by Adriano. Ibrahimović's form in the season had been eye-catching, with clever movement on and off the ball, and his passing had been outstanding, such as his acrobatic pass against Lazio. He ended a month long goal drought against Genoa, handing them their first home loss of the season, making Inter the only team not to lose at home in the league. In the final league game of the season, Ibrahimović scored twice against Atalanta, securing the Capocannoniere for himself by finishing one goal ahead of Marco Di Vaio and Diego Milito with 25 goals in the domestic season.
Barcelona
Zlatan Ibrahimović upon arriving in Barcelona. After Maxwell completed his transfer to Barcelona, president Joan Laporta confirmed that there was an agreement in principle between Barcelona and Internazionale for Ibrahimović to join the club in exchange for Samuel Eto'o, plus a fee. Laporta revealed that the negotiations started when he decided to divert a flight, which was originally from Ukraine to Spain, in order to have talks with Massimo Moratti, the president of Internazionale, in Milan.Ibrahimović left Internazionale from the United States on tour in the World Football Challenge on 23 July 2009 for negotiations with Barcelona, with his last match for Internazionale being against Chelsea. After Internazionale agreed terms with Eto'o and Barcelona with Ibrahimović,Barcelona announced Ibrahimović would arrive on 26 July 2009 and undergo a medical test on 27 July 2009. Ibrahimović passed his medical and was presented to a crowd of over 60,000 at Camp Nou.He signed a 5-year contract, for €46 million ($65 million)and the exchange of Eto'o (valued at €20 million) and loan of Alyaksandr Hleb (with an option to buy for a €10 million fee), with a €250 million release clause, making Ibrahimović worth €66 million ($94 million). Afterwards, Hleb refused the transfer and later loaned out to Stuttgart; therefore, Barcelona added a reported €3 million fee to compensate, making Ibrahimović worth a final total of €69 million ($99 million). This broke a transfer record to become the second highest transfer fee in football history. He signed for an annual salary of €14.5 million including bonuses. Barcelona announced Ibrahimović successfully underwent surgery on the fractured second metacarpal of his left hand on 28 July 2009.He returned to full training on 12 August 2009 for Barcelona.Barcelona also paid FBK Balkan, Ibrahimović's youth club, €144,000 and Malmö FF, Ibrahimović's first senior club, €2 million under the FIFA solidarity system.
2009–10 season
Ibrahimović playing for Barcelona against Sporting Gijón.Ibrahimović started the 2009–10 season with his competitive debut for Barcelona on 23 August 2009 by assisting on a goal by Lionel Messi, leading them to the Spanish Super Cup. In his next competitive match, Barcelona won the 2009UEFA Super Cup. In his third appearance, he scored his first goal in Barcelona's La Liga season opener against Sporting Gijón in a 3-0 win. Ibrahimović went on to score in his next three appearances, thus setting a record as the only Barcelona player ever to score in his first four league matches.
On 20 October, Ibrahimović scored his first Champions League goal for Barcelona in a group stage match against Rubin Kazan. Five days later, he scored twice in 6–1 thrashing of Real Zaragoza, giving him a league-leading seven goals in seven league matches while bringing Barcelona to the top of the table.
On 7 November, Ibrahimović provided a back-heel assist for Pedro and was brought down by Josemi for a penalty in a 4–2 league match win against Mallorca at Camp Nou. Ibrahimović suffered a thigh injury which kept him out for three weeks. He returned to action in week 12 of the season against Real Madrid after coming on for Thierry Henry in the 51st minute. Five minutes later, he scored a volley from 10 yards out in his first El Clásico match, winning it 1–0, and bringing his tally to 8 goals in 10 league matches in front of a home crowd of 97,138. He scored again in the next game in a 2–0 win at Xerez three days later by chipping the ball over the goalkeeper to bring Barcelona 5 points clear at the top of the table. With 9 goals in 11 league matches, Ibrahimović became the most efficient player in the La Liga season, needing an average of just 91 minutes per goal, and David Villa being second with an average of 96 minutes per goal. Ibrahimović scored again in the next league match just four days later at Deportivo La Coruña in a 3–1 win, bringing him to 10 goals in 12 league appearances and sending himself top of the Pichichi Trophy table once again while keeping his club undefeated in all 14 league matches. Ibrahimović scored a penalty in the next league match on 12 December against Espanyol in El derbi Barcelonés, which was Barcelona's last league match of 2009. Therefore, Barcelona finished the year undefeated in first place with 39 points in 15 league matches, while Ibrahimović had 11 goals and 4 assists in 13 of the league matches. Four days later, he played in the 2009 Club World Cup and gave an assist to Lionel Messi against Atlante. Ibrahimović's Barcelona won the Club World Cup against Estudiantes on 19 December, completing Barcelona's sextuple.
Ibrahimovic during the 2009 FIFA Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi.In the first match of 2010, Ibrahimović played a full 90 minutes of the league match against Villareal on 2 January 2010. In the match, he received his fifth yellow card of the season, meaning he would be automatically suspended from the next league match at Tenerife, which Barcelona went on to win 5–0. In Ibrahimović's first Copa del Rey match, he came on as a substitute in the second half to score Barcelona's only goal in the first leg match of the round of 16 at home to Sevilla on 5 January 2010. He played again in the next league match at home to Sevilla in a 4–0 win, which kept Barça in first place, 5 points ahead of league rivals Real Madrid. On 20 January, he was selected in the 2009 UEFA Team of the Year. Ibrahimović played a full match in Barcelona's next league match in a 3–0 win at Valladolid, as the Swedish striker assisted Messi once again to bring the winger to first place in the Pichichi standings. With Valdés first place in the Zamora standings by allowing only 10 goals in 19 league matches, Messi first place in the Pichichi standings by scoring 15 goals in 16 league matches and Barcelona first place in the league standings with 49 points in 19 league matches, this became the first Barcelona side to go undefeated at the halfway point of the season, as they scored an incredible 12 goals in 3 consecutive league matches as well.
Ibrahimović's first goal of 2010 came on 14 February against Atletico Madrid. In his next appearance, Ibrahimović scored against Stuttgart in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League knockout stage fixture. Days later, the striker assisted Pedro in a league match, keeping Barcelona in first place. Ibrahimović received his first red card for Barcelona on 6 March in a league match against Almeria. Barcelona later appealed the red card decision to the Appeals Committee as replays suggested that there was minimal contact by Ibrahimović on Cisma.[39] The appeal was later rejected; therefore, he missed the next league match against Valencia due to suspension, which Barça went on to win 3–0. However, he came on as a subtitute in Barcelona's next match in the second leg of their Champions League match and assisted Bojan by slotting in a nutmeg pass through the legs of Niedermeier to finish up a 4–0 win, bringing his team to the quarter-finals. Four days later, Ibrahimović finished off a 4–2 win with a penalty at La Romareda against Zaragoza. He scored again days later against Osasuna, giving him 14 goals in 23 league matches. He then scored in the next league match against Mallorca, bringing him to 3 goals in 3 consecutive league matches. Four days later, Ibrahimović scored two goals at the Emirates Stadium against Arsenal in the first leg of the Champions league quarterfinal. He injured his right calf during warm ups before the next league match against Athletic Bilbao, ruling him out of the second leg of the Champions League, a 4–1 win, the El Clásico at the Santiago Bernabéu as well, which was a 2–0 win, and the next league match against Deportivo La Coruña. He made his return from injury by coming on as a substitute in the 82nd minute in El derbi Barcelonés against Espanyol. Ibrahimović made his full-game return from injury for Barcelona a week later against Xerez in a league match by assisting Thierry Henry in the 24th minute and scoring a goal himself in the 56th, bringing him to 16 goals and 7 assists in 26 league matches. He came on as a substitute for Bojan a week later against Villareal in a 4–1 win. He assisted Messi days later in a 4–1 win, breaking the world record of most points in a season in a 20 team league with 93 points in 36 matches. Barcelona finished the season with a 4–0 win against Valladolid, claiming first place and thus becoming league champions with 99 points as Ibrahimović came on in the 80th minute. The Swede finished his first season with Barça with 16 league goals and earning 6th place in the Pichichi standings.
International career
Ibrahimović playing for Sweden.Even though he was eligible to play for Bosnia and Croatia, Ibrahimović chose to play for Sweden, his country of birth.
Ibrahimović made his debut for Sweden in a 0–0 friendly against the Faroe Islands at the Värendsvallen on 31 January 2001. His first competitive match was a 2002 World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan on 7 October. Ibrahimović was part of Sweden's 2002 World Cup finals squad who were eliminated in the round of 16 by newcomers Senegal.
Ibrahimović was a fixture in the starting lineup for Euro 2004, scoring a penalty against Bulgaria and rounding off a fine performance against the solid defense of Italy by scoring a late equaliser. However, he missed a penalty as Sweden were sent home following a shootout loss to the Netherlands. He went scoreless during the 2006 World Cup finals as Sweden were again snuffed out in the round of 16, this time by Germany.
He was called up for a Euro 2008 qualifier against Liechtenstein on 6 September 2006, but two days before the match, he violated team curfew by leaving the hotel with teammates Christian Wilhelmsson and Olof Mellberg and visiting a nightclub. Though none of the players consumed any alcohol, they were nonetheless all sent home by Lars Lagerbäck as punishment and did not take part in the match. Mellberg and Wilhelmsson did not appeal the coach's decision, but Ibrahimović felt that it was unjust and therefore refused to take part in Sweden's next qualifiers against Iceland and Spain. He also skipped a friendly against Egypt on 7 February 2007, but ended his self-imposed boycott a month later, and returned for Sweden's loss to Northern Ireland on 28 March. He did not score in any of the 12 qualifying matches; his one goal was disallowed for offside in a 3–0 loss to Spain on 17 November. On 12 November 2007, Ibrahimović was awarded the 2007 Swedish Golden Ball as the "Country's Top Player of the Year."
Ibrahimović ended his international goal drought, which had lasted for over two years, against Greece in Sweden's Euro 2008 opener on 10 June 2008, and the next match against Spain four days later. He finished the tournament with two goals as Sweden were eliminated in the group stage by Russia.
Ibrahimović scored a goal in a 4–0 win against Malta on 10 June 2009 in a 2010 World Cup qualifier. On 5 September 2009, he scored a last second goal in Stadium Puskás Ferenc against Hungary in a 2–1 win for Sweden in their qualification match.
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