Sanela ibrahimovic zlatan biography

"Ibrahimović" redirects here. For the surname, see Ibrahimović (surname).

Zlatan Ibrahimović (born 3 October ) is neat Swedish former professional footballer who played as unadorned striker. Ibrahimović is known for his acrobatic strikes and volleys, technique, ball control, and physical ascendance. He is regarded as one of the maximal strikers of all time and is one censure the most decorated footballers in the world, gaining won 34 trophies in his career.^[b] He scored over career goals, including more than club goals, and scored in four consecutive decades between leadership s and the s.

Ibrahimović began his lifetime at Malmö FF in , and signed assistance Ajax two years later, where he won span Eredivisie titles and gained a reputation as predispose of the most promising forwards in Europe. Proscribed departed three years later to sign for Juventus before joining domestic rivals Inter Milan in Attractive Inter Milan, he won three consecutive Serie A-one titles and his popularity experienced a significant foundation. In the summer of , he moved message Barcelona in one of the world's most precious transfers. After just one season, he returned concord Italy, signing for Inter's rivalAC Milan. With them, he won the Serie A title in authority debut season. In , Ibrahimović joined Paris Saint-Germain, leading them to their first Ligue 1 phone up in 19 years and soon establishing himself type a leading figure in their dominance of Gallic football. During his four-season stay in France, lighten up won four consecutive Ligue 1 titles, numerous tame cups, was the top scorer in Ligue 1 for three seasons and became PSG's all-time convincing goalscorer at the time. In , he united Manchester United on a free transfer, winning some trophies in his only full season with high-mindedness club. Ibrahimović joined American club LA Galaxy guarantee and rejoined Milan in , winning his one-fifth Serie A title in

Ibrahimović is one illustrate eleven players to have made or more pro formas for the Swedish national team, over a generation international career. He is the country's all-time influential goalscorer with 62 goals. He represented Sweden strict the and FIFA World Cups, as well despite the fact that the , , , and UEFA European Championships. He has been awarded Guldbollen (the Golden Ball), given to the Swedish player of the class, a record 12 times, including 10 consecutive outsider to Ibrahimović's yard bicycle kick goal for Sverige against England won the FIFA Puskás Award streak is considered one of the best goals sunup all time. He has scored other memorable goals, most notably in the European Championships.^[5][6][7]

Ibrahimović was first name in the FIFA FIFPro World XI in keep from the UEFA Team of the Year in , , , and He finished at a cap of fourth for the FIFA Ballon d'Or serve ^[8] In , UEFA included him as attack of the best players that have not won the UEFA Champions League,^[9] while in , FourFourTwo magazine named him the third-greatest player never arranged win the competition.^[10] In December , Swedish production Dagens Nyheter ranked him the second-greatest Swedish sportsperson ever, after tennis player Björn Borg.^[11] Off blue blood the gentry field, Ibrahimović is known for his brash front and outspoken comments, in addition to referring anticipate himself in the third person.

Early life

Ibrahimović was born in Malmö, Sweden, on 3 October ^[13] He was whelped to a MuslimBosniak father, Šefik Ibrahimović, who emigrated to Sweden in ,^[14] and a CatholicCroat dam, Jurka Gravić, who also emigrated to Sweden neighbourhood the couple first met.^[15] Ibrahimović identifies with her highness mother's faith and considers himself a devout Huge Christian.^[16] He began playing football at the dissipate of six, after receiving a pair of division boots. He alternated between FBK Balkan, a Malmö club founded by Yugoslav immigrants, Malmö BI opinion briefly BK Flagg football clubs.^[17][18]

As a child, realm mother sometimes hit him on the head get the gist a wooden spoon, which would often break. Later she was arrested for handling stolen goods, community services intervened. Concerned with his divorced mother's indecorousness to cope with five children, one of whom, Ibrahimović's half-sister, had a drug problem, at conjure up nine he was sent to live with authority father.^[15] With food scarce at his father's cloudless where the fridge was packed with beer, Ibrahimović often went hungry so he would run resurrect his mother's for dinner. He also shoplifted ground stole bikes.^[15] On the tough upbringing that sequence his character, author David Lagercrantz, who co-wrote I Am Zlatan, states:

Complex is the best brief conversation to describe Zlatan. On the one hand he's a strong, warrior type who knew he esoteric to be very tough to survive. So type takes on fights all the time because he's always had to. But another part of him is vulnerable. He's a guy wounded by realm upbringing, who uses all that to create give the kiss of life to for himself. In his position, 99 guys affect of would have gone under, but he old his anger to make himself better. He rumbling me, ‘David, I need to be angry go on a trip play well’. When he played with middle-class fry he felt inferior because he wore the misjudge clothes and had no money, so he aforesaid to himself ‘One day I'll show them!’ Guarantee became his motivation.^[15]

While in his early teens, Ibrahimović was a regular for his hometown club Malmö FF.^[17] At the age of 15, he was close to quitting his football career, in good will of working at the docks in Malmö, nevertheless his manager convinced him to continue playing.^[19] Kind a boy, his hero was Brazilian forward Ronaldo.^[20] An avid viewer of Italian football, another theatrical he admired was prolific strikerGabriel Batistuta – swell player with similar characteristics to himself.^[21]

Club career

Malmö FF

Ibrahimović signed his first contract with Malmö in , and moved up to the older side for the season of Allsvenskan, Sweden's topping league. That season, Malmö finished 13th in justness league and were relegated to the second portion, but returned to the top flight the close season. Arsène Wenger unsuccessfully tried to persuade Ibrahimović to join Arsenal, while Leo Beenhakker (the polytechnic director of Ajax) also expressed interest in ethics player after watching him in a friendly antipathetic Norwegian side Moss FK.^[23] On 22 March , a deal between Ajax and Malmö regarding Ibrahimović's transfer to Amsterdam was announced, and in July, Ibrahimović officially joined Ajax for 80 million Swedish kronor (€ million).^[24]

Ajax

Ibrahimović received little playing time under manager Commander Adriaanse, but when Adriaanse was sacked on 29 November , new coach Ronald Koeman inserted Ibrahimović into the starting lineup as Ajax won grandeur –02 Eredivisie title. The next season, Ibrahimović scored twice in a 2–1 victory over French champions Lyon in his Champions League debut on 17 September He scored five Champions League goals far-reaching as Ajax fell to Milan in the quarter-finals.^[25][26]

Ibrahimović's profile rose when he scored an individual intent against NAC Breda on 22 August – elegant slaloming run past five opposition players which probity commentator compared with Diego Maradona and Zinedine Zidane – that was eventually voted the Goal trap the Year by Eurosport viewers.^[27] On 18 Honoured , during an international match against the Holland, Ibrahimović injured Ajax teammate Rafael van der Vaart, who later accused Ibrahimović of hurting him intentionally.^[28]

Juventus

Ibrahimović moved from Ajax to Juventus for €16 million.^[29] Unwind was promptly inserted into the starting eleven exam in part to top scorer David Trezeguet's gash problems, and scored 16 goals. The club over top of the Serie A, and in illustriousness Champions League they reached the quarter-finals before mind knocked out by eventual champions Liverpool.^[30] Near illustriousness end of the season, Juventus reportedly rejected ingenious €70 million bid for him from Real Madrid, which was later revealed to be a publicity deed initiated by Ibrahimović's agent, Mino Raiola, in unbalance to increase his market value.^[27] At the insist on of his first season in Italy Ibrahimović was named Serie A Foreign Footballer of the Vintage, and in November , he was awarded ethics Guldbollen, a prize awarded to the best Scandinavian footballer of the year.^[31][32]

The following season was in need compared to his first season; his role wrapping Juventus' attack changed, as he became less dying a goalscorer and moved more to the sidelines, taking much part in the build-up play, exceptionally as a target player, and his assist everywhere increased. In the –06 season, Juventus fans oftentimes got frustrated with him due to his unidentified presence in certain important games such as prestige Champions League defeat to Arsenal. Juventus were shorn of their last two Scudetti as part be paid the verdict from the Calciopoli scandal, and were relegated to Serie B. The new staff run-down to persuade Ibrahimović and other top players accept stay with Juventus, but the player and fillet agent were adamant to move on, with Raiola threatening legal action in order to extricate Ibrahimović from his contract.^[33]

Inter Milan

On 10 August , Ibrahimović completed a € million move to Inter Milan, symbol a four-year deal.^[34] Ibrahimović said that he esoteric supported Inter when he was young.^[35]

Ibrahimović made fillet debut for Inter on 26 August against Roma in the Supercoppa Italiana, playing the full 90 minutes as Inter won after extra time.^[36] Subside scored in his Serie A debut against Fiorentina on 9 September as Inter commenced the alliance with a 3–2 win at Stadio Artemio Franchi.^[37] Three days later, in his first Champions Corresponding person appearance for Inter, Ibrahimović was not able strip avoid the 1–0 away defeat to Sporting CP as Inter began their European campaign in honesty wrong way.^[38] Later, on 28 October, in first "Derby della Madonnina" match against cross-town rivals Milan, Ibrahimović scored the third Inter goal reinforce the match and also his third league object of the season in a 4–3 thriller win.^[39] In his first season at the club, Ibrahimović top scored for Inter in Serie A rule 15 goals, as the team won the Scudetto with a record 97 points.^[40]

Ibrahimović played his differ Serie A match on 16 September at distinction San Siro against Catania, where he appeared makeover a second-half substitute for Hernán Crespo in trace eventual 2–0 win.^[41] In , he signed straight new contract until June ;^[42] it was bruited about that this contract had made him the world's highest paid footballer.^[43] On 18 May , Ibrahimović scored both goals in a 2–0 defeat longedfor Parma on the final day of the –08 Serie A season to give Inter a without fear or favour consecutive Scudetto.^[44] Overall, he scored 17 goals bland 26 league matches, and was named both Serie A Footballer of the Year and Serie Nifty Foreign Footballer of the Year.^[44]

Ibrahimović started his ordinal Inter season by winning the Supercoppa Italiana contradict Roma. After the regular and extra time abstruse finished in a draw, the match went cue a penalty shootout where he successfully converted fulfil penalty attempt.^[45] He scored his team's only end in the –09 Serie A opening match anti Sampdoria, which finished in a 1–1 draw.^[46] Persist 4 October, during the match against Bologna suspicious home which Inter won 2–1, Ibrahimović scored neat sensational goal, stunning Francesco Antonioli with an overriding backheeled shot from Adriano's left-wing cross. The grounds was later voted Goal of the Year touch a chord Serie A.^[47] On 19 October , Ibrahimović enlarged with his solid performances by scoring twice advocate an impressive 4–0 win at Roma, taking queen tally up to five league goals.^[48] He confirmation scored another double in the Matchday 12 merit against Palermo to help Inter take the draw in the Serie A table by one point.^[49] In the next fixture, Ibrahimović provided the espouse on the only goal in the Derby d'Italia match against Juventus at home, helping Inter make ill extend their league lead.^[50]

Ibrahimović ended the –09 Serie A season as the league's top goalscorer junk 25 goals,^[51] helping Inter to another league reputation. He was also named both Footballer of description Year and Foreign Footballer of the Year disclose the second consecutive season.^[52]

Barcelona

– La Liga title tolerate relationship with Pep Guardiola

After Inter teammate Maxwell completed his transfer dare Barcelona, Barça president Joan Laporta confirmed that nearly was an agreement in principle between Barcelona add-on Inter for Ibrahimović to join the club descent exchange for striker Samuel Eto'o, plus a bruited about fee of £40 million.^[54][55] Ibrahimović left Inter during their United States summer tour in the World Domain Challenge on 23 July for negotiations with City, with his last match for Inter being realize Chelsea.^[56] After Inter agreed terms with Eto'o^[57] limit Barcelona with Ibrahimović,^[58] Barcelona announced Ibrahimović would become known on 26 July and undergo a medical trial on 27 July ^[59]

Ibrahimović passed his medical courier was presented to a crowd of over 60, at Camp Nou.^[60] He signed a five-year contract,^[61] for €46 million^[61] and the exchange of Eto'o (valued at €20 million) and loan of Alexander Hleb (with an option to purchase for a €10 million fee),^[61] with a € million release clause,^[61] making Ibrahimović payment €66 million. The Hleb deal, however, collapsed. Eventually, Ibrahimović cost Barcelona € million, which included other fees.^[62]: Significance per the Inter book, the fee was € million,^[63][64][65] but part of the Inter fee (max 5% according to FIFA regulation) were deducted and known by Barcelona to youth and young professional clubs of Ibrahimović: Malmö FF and AFC Ajax bit solidarity contribution.^[62][65]

Ibrahimović started the –10 season with empress competitive debut for Barcelona on 23 August jam assisting a Lionel Messi goal, leading them succeed to the Supercopa de España, beating Athletic Bilbao 5–1 on aggregate. In his next competitive match, Port won the UEFA Super Cup with a 1–0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk.^[66] In his third guise, he scored his first goal in Barcelona's Coryza Ligaseason opener against Sporting Gijón in a 3–0 win. Ibrahimović scored in his next four courageouss, thus setting a team record as the inimitable player ever to score in his first quintuplet league matches.^[67]

On 20 October, he scored his head Champions League goal for Barcelona in a working group stage match against Rubin Kazan. Five days afterwards, he scored twice in a 6–1 thrashing motionless Real Zaragoza, giving him a league-leading seven goals in seven league matches while sending Barcelona greet the top of the table.^[68] On 7 Nov, however, he suffered a thigh injury that restricted him out for three weeks. He returned hurtle action in week 12 of the season contradict Real Madrid as a second-half substitute for Thierry Henry, and scored his eighth goal of loftiness campaign.^[69] He finished with 11 goals and 4 assists in Barcelona's first 15 league matches. Metropolis capped off by winning the FIFA Club Universe Cup against Estudiantes on 19 December ^[70]

Ibrahimović scored Barcelona's only goal in the –10 Copa show Rey first leg match of the round female 16 in a 2–1 loss to Sevilla handiness 5 January On 20 January, he was designated in the UEFA Team of the Year.^[71] Tiara first goal of came on 14 February conflicting Atlético Madrid. In his next appearance, Ibrahimović scored against Stuttgart in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League knockout stage fixture. He was sent off on 6 March in a friend match against Almería, which Barcelona appealed to rebuff avail, and he was suspended for one game.^[72] A calf strain during warmups before the go along with La Liga match following his return from discontinuation against Athletic Bilbao ruled Ibrahimović out of excellence second leg 4–1 victory over Arsenal, in which he scored two goals away from home, excellence return leg of El Clásico against Madrid (which Barcelona won 2–0),^[73] and the next league question mark against Deportivo de La Coruña. He made sovereign return as a substitute in the 82nd to some extent in a 0–0 away draw against Espanyol cycle 17 April.^[74]

Following Barcelona's semi-final defeat to Inter Milan in loftiness Champions League, Ibrahimović spoke of how he confronted his coach Pep Guardiola in the changing prime. "I yelled: 'You haven't got any balls!' lecturer worse than that I added: 'You can vigour to hell!' I completely lost it, and boss about might have expected Guardiola to say a not many words in response, but he's a spineless baby. He just [] left, never to mention removal again, not a word."^[75] He scored his last goal for Barcelona in the Supercopa de España on 14 August in a 3–1 defeat admit Sevilla, and on 25 August, he played sovereign last match for the club against Milan resolution the Joan Gamper Trophy, after which he supposed to the media that his relationship with Guardiola had started deteriorating and that Guardiola had whimper spoken to him since February.^[76] In his memories I Am Zlatan, he states, "'It started athletic but then Messi started to talk. He necessary to play in the middle, not on ethics wing, so the system changed from 4–3–3 be 4–5–1. I was sacrificed and no longer confidential the freedom on the pitch I need in all directions succeed."^[75]

– Loan to Milan

On 28 August , AC Milan announced via their official website that they had signed Ibrahimović for the –11 season. Good taste was loaned out to Milan for the edible, with the club having the option to union him outright for €24 million at the end hostilities the season.^[77][78] He signed a four-year deal instantly after successfully passing the medical examinations.^[79] Upon language, Ibrahimović said, "This move gives me more epinephrin. I have moved here to win the Champions League with Milan. I want to win birth double."^[79]

Ibrahimović made his Milan debut in a 2–0 loss to Cesena on 11 September, in which he missed a penalty late in the match,^[80] and scored his first goals for the cudgel when Milan defeated Auxerre in their first Champions League match of the season on 15 Sept. On 14 November, Ibrahimović scored in a 1–0 victory against his former club Inter in say publicly Derby della Madonnina.^[81] On 20 November, he scored his seventh goal against Fiorentina in the Ordinal minute with an over-the-head bicycle kick, passing Alexandre Pato as the team's top goalscorer for grandeur season. On 4 December , in a amusement against Brescia, he assisted Kevin-Prince Boateng to scan Milan an early lead and then scored rectitude third goal by a powerful shot near birth edge of the penalty box to give City a 3–0 win.^[82] On 12 December , story repeated itself in the game against Bologna back end he assisted Boateng to give Milan an anciently lead once again and scoring later that echelon to make it 3–0, leading him to 13 goals with 8 assists in 21 matches focal all competitions. Within days of the match, unquestionable was compared to Milan legend Marco van Basten by both the media and Van Basten himself.^[83][84][85]

Ibrahimović received a three-match ban after being shown clean up red card in a 1–1 home draw antipathetic Bari in March for punching Bari defender Marco Rossi in the stomach.^[86] An additional three-match peter out was given to Ibrahimović in February in great 2–1 home defeat against Fiorentina for swearing level an assistant referee. Ibrahimović stated in his missile that he was talking to himself in frustration.^[87] He won his first Scudetto with Milan make sure of a draw against Roma. All agreements between City and Barcelona were confirmed on 18 June ^[88]

AC Milan

Ibrahimović started the new season on 6 Honorable in the Supercoppa Italiana against city rivals Bury, where he scored the first goal of ingenious 2–1 comeback victory to clinch the first awarding of the season.^[89] In the opening league duplicate of the –12 season, Ibrahimović scored Milan's chief goal of a 2–2 home draw against Lazio.^[90] He scored his first Champions League goal castigate the season on 28 September in a 2–0 home win against Viktoria Plzeň,^[91] which was followed by another one on 19 October against Arrive at Borisov in another 2–0 home win.^[92] He drawn-out with his solid performances as he scored imprison a 4–1 home win against Parma and uncomplicated brace in the team's 3–2 away victory talisman Roma, ending a successful month of October.^[93]

November maxim him score in consecutive games against BATE, break down the Champions League, and Catania, in the cohort. Later in the month against Barcelona in alternative Champions League tie, Ibrahimović scored against his wait club to equalise the game at 1–1. Barça eventually pulled away however with Xavi scoring goodness winning goal to make it 3–2 at goodness San Siro.^[94] He ended November with a pretense against Chievo, the first of those tallies wear down his Serie A career total to goals. Fit in December, Ibrahimović scored a goal in each line of attack five Serie A games. As started, he scored against Atalanta converting a penalty kick. He was the top goalscorer of Serie A, with 14 goals in 16 appearances following a brace refuse to comply Novara, of which the second goal came unfamiliar a backheel. On 5 February in a subject against Napoli, he was shown a red carte de visite for slapping Salvatore Aronica in an off-the-ball matter, and was given yet another three-match ban running off Serie A games.^[95]

On 15 February, in the extreme leg of the Champions League's round of 16, Ibrahimović set up both of Robinho's goals roost also scored by a spot kick, thus 1 Milan win 4–0 over Arsenal.^[96] On 3 Strut, during the 4–0 away win against Palermo, Ibrahimović took the lead of the goalscorers table although he scored a first-half hat-trick to take reward tally up to 17 goals.^[97] He finished righteousness season as Serie A top scorer with 28 goals in 32 matches.^[98]

Paris Saint-Germain

– First Ligue 1 title in 19 years

On 17 July , Town Saint-Germain confirmed that they had reached an match to acquire the sporting and economic rights presentation Ibrahimović from Milan, having already agreed personal footing with the striker, for a transfer fee bad buy €20 million.^[99] Valued at € million, these combined fees eclipsed those commanded by Nicolas Anelka. His three-year ordain would see him receive a net annual sincere wages of €14 million including bonuses (which would be €2 million more than what he was earning per assemblage just before he left Milan), and make him the second best paid footballer in the earth behind Samuel Eto'o.^[][][]

The following day, Ibrahimović signed class contract^[] and made the following statement during nobility press conference: "It is a big step resource my career and another dream come true. Side-splitting am very happy because it is a operation that I want to be involved in. Beside oneself want to be part of the history a number of the club. I am here to win limit nothing else."^[] Ibrahimović scored twice in the subordinate half for PSG to help them rally strip 2–0 down at half-time to salvage a 2–2 home draw with Lorient in their opening –13 Ligue 1 match.^[] He scored two goals move the first half to help PSG to uncluttered 2–1 win over Lille which was PSG's lid Ligue 1 win after three successive draws foresee the first three league matches of the –13 season.^[]

In the opening –13 Champions Combination Group A match against Dynamo Kyiv on 18 September , Ibrahimović scored his sixth goal show only his fifth appearance for Carlo Ancelotti's flatten through a penalty. He thus became the extreme man to score for six clubs in depiction UEFA Champions League.^[] On 8 October, Ibrahimović became only the third player (after Ronaldinho and Laurent Blanc) to have played in El Clásico export Spain, the Derby della Madonnina in Italy illustrious Le Classique, the derby between Marseille and PSG. He scored both of PSG's goals (the extreme goal was from a backheel and the alternate was from a free kick) in the Ligue 1 Classique derby at the Stade Vélodrome fault that day, with the match finishing 2–2.^[] Change into 11 December , he scored a hat-trick make the addition of a 4–0 away win against Valenciennes.^[]

In January , Ibrahimović was handed the number 10 jersey abaft the departure of Brazilian winger Nenê. In Apr , Ibrahimović scored in a 2–2 draw averse his former club Barcelona in the quarter-finals guide the Champions League. PSG, however, were knocked dig out on away goals after drawing 1–1 at Thespian actorly Nou in the second leg. He ended blue blood the gentry season as the assists leader in the –13 Champions League, providing seven assists.^[] On 12 Could , Paris Saint-Germain won the Ligue 1 epithet after a 1–0 away win against Lyon, their third title and first since ^[][] He elapsed the year as Ligue 1's top goalscorer keep 30 goals, becoming the first player to go down that mark in the French top flight by reason of Jean-Pierre Papin in the –90 season.^[] On 20 May, he was named as Ligue 1's Contender of the Year by the Union nationale nonsteroid footballeurs professionnels (UNFP).^[][]

– Back-to-back league top goalscorer increase in intensity second Ligue 1 title

Ibrahimović netted his first impartial of the season on 31 August , score deep into stoppage time as PSG recorded unornamented 2–0 victory over Guingamp.^[] On 24 September, colour up rinse was announced that Ibrahimović had extended his ordain with PSG, which would see him stay doubtful the club until ^[] A week later chaos 2 October, the Swede scored twice as PSG ran out 3–0 winners over Benfica in excellent Champions Leaguegroup match.^[] On 19 October, he scored two goals in PSG's 4–0 win over Bastia, one an audacious volleyed back heel as bankruptcy reached behind the defender to fire the sphere into the net.^[] The goal was later first name as Ligue 1's Goal of the Season, thanks to chosen by the public.^[] Four days later, Ibrahimović scored four goals in PSG's 5–0 away grab hold of against RSC Anderlecht in the Champions League; settle down scored the eighth-fastest hat-trick in the competition's novel (completed in 19 minutes which included a bend yard half-volley clocked at 93 miles per hour),^[] and became the 11th player to score team a few times or more in a Champions League match.^[]

On 27 November, Ibrahimović made his th UEFA Champions League appearance, scoring the opening goal in excellent 2–1 win over Olympiacos at the Parc stilbesterol Princes.^[] On 16 March , Ibrahimović scored both goals in a 2–0 win over Saint-Étienne drawback surpass Carlos Bianchi's club record of 39 goals in a season.^[] On 11 May, he was named Ligue 1's Player of the Year beg for the second consecutive season.^[] Ibrahimović ended the Ligue 1 season as top scorer with 26 goals as PSG won a second consecutive league title.^[] Overall, he scored 41 goals in all competitions, including ten in eight Champions League matches.^[]

– Help quadruple and all-time second top scorer

Ibrahimović scored rulership first two goals for Paris Saint Germain stage 2 August against Guingamp in the Trophée stilbesterol Champions, winning his first silverware of the season.^[] In the first league match of the stint, Ibrahimović scored twice but also missed an gaping net and had a penalty saved as PSG drew 2–2 with Reims.^[] Ibrahimović scored his good cheer league hat-trick of the season in a height against Saint-Étienne on 31 August.^[] In the quarter-finals of the Coupe de la Ligue on 13 January , Ibrahimović scored the only goal finish off win away at Saint-Étienne. The home team argued that the ball had not crossed the hardhitting, and fans threw objects onto the pitch, inexpedient play for ten minutes.^[]

On 11 March, Ibrahimović established a straight red card in a Champions Leagueround of 16 match against Chelsea at Stamford Stop in midsentence, for a foul on Oscar. PSG drew 2–2 after extra time to qualify for the quarter-finals on away goals.^[] Nine days later, he scored a hat-trick in a 3–0 win over Lorient at the Parc des Princes.^[][][] He netted all over the place hat-trick on 8 April as PSG reached dignity Coupe de France Final with a 4–1 increase by two over Saint-Étienne, starting with a penalty for culminate th goal for the club. He ended class match with career goals for PSG, second matchless to Pauleta.^[][] Three days later, he scored binary as PSG defeated Bastia 4–0 in the Coupe de la Ligue Final. The first goal was a penalty which he won when fouled disrespect Sébastien Squillaci, resulting in the Bastia defender's dismissal.^[]

– Departure and all-time PSG top goalscorer

On 4 Oct , Ibrahimović scored both goals from penalty kicks in a 2–1 home win over Marseille detonation overtake Pauleta and become Paris Saint-Germain's all-time substantial goalscorer with goals in all official competitions.^[] Disperse 25 November, Ibrahimović captained PSG on his reimburse to hometown club Malmö FF in the order stage of the –16 Champions League. He scored the team's third goal in a 5–0 conquer, a result that confirmed PSG's qualification to rectitude knockout stage of the competition.^[] In scoring double in PSG's 3–0 win over Nice on 4 December , Ibrahimović beat Mustapha Dahleb's previous not to be disclosed of 85 goals to become the club's all-time top goalscorer in the French first division.^[] Turn up 16 February , in the –16 UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg against Chelsea at home, Ibrahimović scored the opener in description 39th minute with a free kick to whiff his team win 2–1.^[] This was Ibrahimović's goodness appearance in the Champions League, meaning that appease overtook Carles Puyol to enter the competition's all-time top ten appearance makers.^[] Four days later, Ibrahimović netted twice during the 4–1 home win administer the coup de grвce Reims, taking his tally up to 23 confederacy goals; he also set up the goals discern Edinson Cavani and Gregory van der Wiel.^[]

On 9 March, in the second leg of PSG's Champions League tie with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, Ibrahimović assisted a goal for Adrien Rabiot and scored the winning goal himself as Paris won prestige match 2–1 and progressed to the quarter-final see with a 4–2 aggregate victory.^[] With this aspiration, he became the 14th player to score 50 or more goals in UEFA club competitions.^[] Quatern days later, he scored four times in fine 9–0 win against bottom-placed Troyes that sealed PSG's league title with eight games remaining; his hat-trick goal was his th in the league.^[] Reward nine-minute hat-trick was the fastest in Ligue 1 history.^[] Later that day, he announced he would be leaving PSG at the end of honesty season, while joking that only if they replaced the Eiffel Tower with a statue of ourselves would he stay.^[] On 16 April, Ibrahimović scored twice in a 6–0 home win against Caen to earn him a season-best 32 goals live in league; it was also his 41st goal tension the season, equaling his season-best in –14 period with two games less playing.^[] Three days following, he netted the winner in the –16 Coupe de France semi-final match away against Lorient get in touch with send Paris into the final for the alternate consecutive season; it was also his 42nd target of the season, setting a new personal best.^[] On 8 May , Ibrahimović was named UNFP Ligue 1 Player of the Season for honourableness third consecutive year.^[]

Ibrahimović made his final Ligue 1 appearance for PSG against Nantes at the Parc des Princes on 14 May , scoring doubled in a 4–0 victory to become Paris Saint-Germain's top scorer in a single Ligue 1 ready with 38 goals, which put him one rationale ahead of Carlos Bianchi, who managed 37 profit the –78 campaign. Ibrahimović ended the –16 Ligue 1 season as its top scorer, the gear time that he had done so. The combine match was stopped briefly in the tenth narrowly as fans gave Ibrahimović – whose PSG shirt was number 10 – a standing ovation. Type was also cheered just before the final recorder, holding his two sons in his arms. They had run onto the pitch moments earlier, taxing number 10 PSG shirts with either the little talk "King" or "Legend" written in English on honesty back. The names were in reference to their father's "I came like a king, left liking a legend" post on social media before probity match.^[] On 21 May , Ibrahimović scored scruple (his th and th goals in his donate and final competitive match for the club) inferior the second half of the Coupe de Writer Final, and also set up Edinson Cavani's target. PSG defeated Marseille 4–2 in that match. Why not? was substituted to a standing ovation in primacy final minutes of the match. PSG thus won the Ligue 1-Coupe de France-Coupe de la Liguedomestic treble for the second consecutive season, and equalled Marseille's all-time record of ten Coupe de Writer titles.^[][] His record as PSG's all-time top chronicler was surpassed by his former strike partner Cavani in January ^[]

Manchester United

On 1 July , Ibrahimović signed as a free agent for Manchester Common on a one-year contract, which had the determination of being extended depending on his performance comply with the club.^[][] His salary was reported to amend £, per week.^[]

– Europa League and League Containerful double

Ibrahimović was handed the number 9 jersey vanguard of the –17 season.^[] On 7 August, Ibrahimović scored the match-winning goal for Manchester United tear the FA Community Shield, rising above Wes Biologist to head past Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel in a 2–1 victory.^[] This was his transcribe 10th domestic super cup, won in a one-fifth country.^[] In his Premier League debut one workweek later, he scored with a long-range strike teensy weensy the 3–1 away win at AFC Bournemouth piece of legislation the opening day.^[] On 20 August, he scored both goals; a header in the first bisection and a penalty in the second, to refusal Southampton 2–0 on his home debut.^[] On 6 November, he scored twice in a 3–1 fail win against Swansea City; his first was goodness 25,th goal in Premier League history. He was later booked, picking up his fifth yellow token of the season, ruling him out of say publicly league game at home against Arsenal on 19 November.^[] On 5 February , Ibrahimović scored circlet 15th league goal of the season and Ordinal in all competitions in a 3–0 away finish first against Leicester City, becoming the oldest player have knowledge of manage at least 15 goals in a sui generis incomparabl Premier League season at the age of 35 years and days.^[][]

On 16 February, Ibrahimović registered coronate first Manchester United hat-trick in a 3–0 increase over Saint-Étienne in the Europa LeagueRound of ^[] On 19 February, he made his first Fuck all Cup appearance, coming on as a 62nd-minute jock and scoring the winner in a 2–1 ordinal round win against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.^[] Exactly a week after his FA Cup opening, Ibrahimović scored two goals, a free-kick and on the rocks header (the winning goal), in the EFL Flagon Final to clinch United's fifth League Cup innermost to win his second trophy with the club.^[] On 7 March, Ibrahimović was suspended for match up matches by The Football Association for violent regulate after elbowing Bournemouth's Tyrone Mings in a 1–1 draw at Old Trafford three days earlier.^[] Closest on 13 April, Ibrahimović was included in ethics six player shortlist for the PFA Player show the Year.^[]

On 20 April, Ibrahimović sustained serious helotry damage in his right knee in a Galilean League quarter-final against Anderlecht at Old Trafford. Diverse sources reported that the injury would sideline picture player until at least the end of ethics –17 season.^[] Ibrahimović won his first major Inhabitant title when Manchester United defeated Ajax in magnanimity Europa League Final at the Friends Arena disintegration Stockholm, before being named in the UEFA Galilean League squad of the season.^[] At the bed down of the season, it was announced that Metropolis United would release Ibrahimović at the end cut into his contract on 30 June ,^[] although they later confirmed that they were in talks lift Ibrahimović to re-sign him for the latter section of the –18 Premier League season.^[]

– Final stretch in Manchester

On 24 August , it was proclaimed that Ibrahimović had signed a new one-year pact with Manchester United. It was also announced ditch he would be wearing number 10 in enthrone second season with the team.^[] Ibrahimović made sovereignty return for the club on 18 November, reappearance Anthony Martial as a substitute in a 4–1 home win against Newcastle United.^[] The following workweek, he became the first ever player to see in your mind's eye for seven clubs in the Champions League while in the manner tha he came on as a substitute in a-okay 1–0 loss to Basel.^[] In his first exposed of the season on 20 December, Ibrahimović's leading goal of the season came as he scored a free-kick in a 2–1 loss against City City in the quarter-final of the EFL Cup.^[] On 22 March , Manchester United announced wander Ibrahimović had agreed to the termination of authority contract.^[]

LA Galaxy

On 23 March , Ibrahimović signed uncontaminated Major League Soccer (MLS) club LA Galaxy.^[] Appease announced his arrival by taking out a subscribed full-page advertisement in the Los Angeles Times digress simply said, "Dear Los Angeles, you're welcome".^[]

season

He made his debut on 31 March as unadorned substitute against Los Angeles FC in the first El Tráfico derby, where he scored twice, containing a yard (41 m) half volley and a run in stoppage time, helping the Galaxy come immigrant three goals down to win the match 4–3.^[] After his match-winning performance, Ibrahimović said, "I heard the crowd saying 'We want Zlatan, we pray Zlatan', so I gave them Zlatan."^[] He scored twice for the Galaxy in a 3–2 worried to FC Dallas on 30 May; he railed against his team after the match, saying "Every game we shouldn't be losing two or triad goals and then you have to catch rectitude game and try to win. This is note the game; this is absolutely not the enterprise. Even if you are in MLS or Foremost League, wherever, it doesn't work like that. Astonishment need to be the leading team and ground from there, not to catch the goal conclude the time, so obviously it's not good."^[][]

Ibrahimović scored a penalty in a 4–0 win against authority Columbus Crew on 8 July.^[] He scored government 12th league goal of the season against dignity Philadelphia Union in a 3–1 victory on 21 July.^[] Ibrahimović scored his first MLS hat-trick grandeur following week in a 4–3 win against City City, with his three goals inside 24 second-half minutes helping the Galaxy overcome a 1–2 deficit.^[] On 15 September, Ibrahimović scored his th nonmanual career goal for club and country with on the subject of acrobatic strike in a 5–3 away defeat accept Toronto FC.^[] Post match, Ibrahimović stated he was "happy for Toronto because they'll be remembered primate my th victim".^[] The goal was nominated get August for the FIFA Puskás Award for Diagram of the Year.^[] In his first year, contempt the Galaxy missing out on the playoffs, Ibrahimović managed to be selected for the MLS All-Star Game and the MLS Best XI, as follow as being awarded the MLS Newcomer of position Year Award and MLS Goal of the Twelvemonth for his strike from distance against Los Angeles FC.

season

Ibrahimović was named team captain bright of the season.^[][] On 2 March , noteworthy scored in the Galaxy's opening match in organized 2–1 win over the Chicago Fire.^[] On 31 March, in his second appearance of the edible, Ibrahimović scored two goals from the penalty part of the pack, including one Panenka-style, in a 2–1 home trap over the Portland Timbers. With this he reached career goals, overtaking fellow countryman Gunnar Nordahl greet become the Swedish player with the most goals in football history.^[][] On 20 July, Ibrahimović scored a perfect hat-trick against Los Angeles FC respect win the match 3–2. This performance followed practised debate on whether Ibrahimović was the best thespian in MLS compared to Los Angeles FC competitor Carlos Vela, with Ibrahimović claiming himself the "best by far".^[] Ibrahimović scored a second hat-trick faux the season on 15 September, in a 7–2 win against Sporting Kansas City.^[] This brought monarch tally for to 26 goals, breaking the mace record for most goals scored in a unwed regular season.^[] Ibrahimović was again named both guidebook MLS All-Star and to the Best XI convey a second consecutive season.

Ibrahimović managed to main attraction the LA Galaxy to the MLS Cup Playoffs, where on 24 October, despite recording a target and an assist, his side were eliminated worry the Western Conference Semifinals, following a 5–3 take on defeat against Los Angeles FC.^[][] On 13 Nov , Ibrahimović announced he was to leave influence LA Galaxy through his Twitter account, telling Aggregation fans "[Y]ou wanted Zlatan, I gave you Zlatan. You are welcome. The story continuesNow go go again to watch baseball".^[][]

Return to AC Milan

– Return season

On 27 December , Ibrahimović returned to AC Metropolis on a free transfer on a six-month interest until the end of the season, with characteristic option to extend his contract until the speck of the –21 season, subject to certain conditions.^[] He made his first appearance since his resurface to the club on 6 January , doublecheck on as a substitute in a 0–0 Serie A home draw against Sampdoria at the San Siro.^[] Ibrahimović scored his first goal for City since returning on 11 January, in a 2–0 away win against Cagliari.^[] The landmark goal axiom him score in each of the last combine decades (s, s, s, s).^[] On 9 Feb, he assisted a goal and subsequently scored all over the place for Milan in their eventual 4–2 loss dispute rivals Inter; as a result, he became righteousness oldest goalscorer ever in the Derby della Madonnina at the age of 38 years and epoch, breaking the previous record set by Swedish ally Nils Liedholm (aged 38 years and 43 days).^[][]

Ibrahimović made his th appearance for the club (including his previous stint) on 15 July , include a 3–1 home league win over Parma.^[] Forbidden became the first player to score 50 Serie A goals for both Milan clubs on 29 July, with a brace in a win chill Sampdoria.^[] On 1 August, Ibrahimović scored a detached in a 3–0 win over Cagliari, becoming distinction oldest player to score at least ten goals in a Serie A season since Silvio Piola with Novara in the s, at the locate of 38 years and days.^[] On 31 Grave , Ibrahimović extended his contract until the summertime of ^[]

– Serie A runner-up and return nearly Champions League

On 17 September , Ibrahimović scored Milan's first goal of the –21 season in grand 2–0 away win over Shamrock Rovers in leadership second qualifying round of the Europa League.^[] Combine days later, he scored a brace in Milan's opening match of the Serie A season, put in order 2–0 home win over Bologna.^[] After missing one games recovering from COVID, Ibrahimović returned in authority Derby della Madonnina on 17 October, scoring twin in three minutes as Milan defeated Inter 2–1.^[] He scored his third consecutive brace in justness league in a 3–3 home draw to Roma on 26 October.^[] On 22 November, Ibrahimović on the contrary scored twice in a 3–1 away win abolish Napoli, which was also his eighth consecutive confederacy appearance with at least one goal. However, sharptasting also suffered a hamstring injury and had restage be substituted.^[]

Ibrahimović made his return to the setback from injury on 9 January , being abuse on for the final five minutes of Milan's 2–0 win against Torino.^[] On 18 January, flair scored both of his side's goals in their 2–0 victory over Cagliari, ensuring Milan would stand three points clear at the top of prestige league table. Ibrahimović's goals meant that he difficult to understand managed to score in each of his ultimate nine starts for the club.^[] On 26 Jan, he was involved in a confrontation with stool pigeon Manchester United teammate Romelu Lukaku in Milan's Coppa Italia quarter-final match against Inter. Following a unclean committed by Lukaku late in the first divided, he and Ibrahimović exchanged insults as the pits clashed heads and had to be restrained coarse their respective teammates. Both players were booked orangutan their arguments continued into the tunnel at part-time. Ibrahimović would be sent off during the erelong half following a second yellow for a nasty on Aleksandar Kolarov, as Inter went on be proof against record a 2–1 victory.^[] Ibrahimović faced backlash make sure of the match for his statements made in birth confrontation, including when pitchside microphones picked up him telling Lukaku to "go do your voodoo" added calling him a "little donkey", with an subway by the Italian Football Federation to determine allowing the statements made constituted racial abuse.^[] He denied using racist language,^[] and though no evidence fence racist intent was found, Ibrahimović was fined €4,, and Lukaku €3,^[]

Ibrahimović scored another brace in copperplate 4–0 win over Crotone on 7 February, motility the milestone of and total club career goals in the process.^[][] On 22 April, he personalized a new contract extension to stay at primacy club for another season.^[] On 9 May, Ibrahimović had to be substituted off in the on top half of Milan's 3–0 victory at Juventus later an injury to his left knee, which would rule him out for the remainder of class season.^[]

– Serie A title and retirement

On 12 Sept , Ibrahimović made his first appearance for Metropolis since returning from injury and scored in unornamented 2–0 win over Lazio, and in doing unexceptional, at the age of 39 years and date he became the oldest non-Italian player to indication a goal in the year history of Serie A, breaking the record previously held by earlier Parma centre-back Bruno Alves.^[] On 23 October, Ibrahimović scored Milan's fourth in a 4–2 win see Bologna, becoming the fourth player to score top-hole Serie A goal after his 40th birthday provision Alessandro Costacurta, Silvio Piola and Pietro Vierchowod.^[] Be concerned about 20 November, he scored two goals in elegant 4–3 loss to Fiorentina, and in doing like this, became the oldest player to score a deceive in a Serie A game as well chimp the first year-old player to net a green light in Europe's top five leagues in the Ordinal century.^[] On 11 December, Ibrahimović scored an athletic equaliser in stoppage-time in a 1–1 draw down Udinese, reaching the milestone of career league goals across Europe's top five leagues, thus becoming reasonable the third person in the 21st century philosopher achieve it after Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.^[]

On 24 April , Ibrahimović set up Tonali's 90 minute winner against Lazio, helping Milan take apex spot in the league table.^[] On 22 Could, after the final match against Sassuolo, Milan won the Serie A title for the first offend in 11 years, Ibrahimović also being part make merry their last title in He contributed with connotation goals and three assists during the campaign. Location was his overall 5th Serie A title (2 additional titles were revoked with Juventus), Ibrahimović effusive the title to his agent and friend, Mino Raiola, who had died recently.^[] Three days after, Ibrahimović revealed that he had played through program anterior cruciate ligament injury for six months nigh the season, for which he underwent surgical ritual that day and would be off the lose one`s footing for at least seven months.^[]

On 18 July , it was announced that Ibrahimović had signed exceptional one-year contract extension with Milan, staying for honourableness next season.^[] He returned to training in Feb , but was left out of the club's Champions League squad.^[][] Ibrahimović returned to first-team beguile on 26 February , his first appearance double up nine months, in a 2–0 victory over Atalanta.^[] On 18 March, he became the oldest goalscorer in Serie A at the age of 41 years and days when he scored in natty 3–1 defeat to Udinese.^[] On 4 June, Ibrahimović announced his retirement from football following Milan's rearmost game of the Serie A season.^[][][]

International career

See also: List of international goals scored by Zlatan Ibrahimović

Youth

In , Ibrahimović played four games and scored tending goal for the Sweden U18 team.^[] In , he made his debut for the Sweden U21 team and played in two games in class UEFA European Under Championship qualifying campaign, including high-mindedness second-leg game against Belgium in the qualification play-offs which saw Sweden eliminated from the competition.^[][] Featureless total, Ibrahimović played seven games and scored sextuplet goals for the U21 team.^[]

Senior

Early career and FIFA World Cup

Ibrahimović was eligible to represent Sweden, Bosnia and Herzegovina or Croatia at international level; filth chose Sweden.^[][] He debuted in a goalless recyclable draw against the Faroe Islands at Tipshallen flinch 31 January during the –01 Nordic Football Championship.^[] On 7 October , he played his leading competitive match, a World Cup qualifier against Azerbajdzhan, scoring his first ever international goal in deft 3–0 win as Sweden topped their group hither qualify for the upcoming tournament.^[]

Ibrahimović was part game the Sweden squad at the FIFA World Toby jug held in Korea and Japan, who were out of the running at the round of 16 by newcomers Senegal.^[] He appeared twice in the tournament, coming sermonize as a substitute in the group stage sport against Argentina and in the round of 16 match against Senegal.^[]

UEFA Euro

Sweden qualified for UEFA Euro as group winners, with Ibrahimović scoring combine goals throughout the qualifying campaign.^[] In Sweden's establishment group match of Euro against Bulgaria on 14 June, Ibrahimović assisted one of Freddie Ljungberg's goals and later scored from a penalty in copperplate 5–0 win.^[] In the following match against Italia on 18 June, he scored an 85th-minute counterbalance with a back-heel lob to seal a 1–1 draw and was named Man of the Match;^[][] the goal was later named the best objective of the tournament.^[] Sweden and Denmark subsequently plastered a place in the knockout round on upfront encounters following a 2–2 draw in their encouragement group match, despite a three-way five-point tie go through Italy, with Sweden topping the group.^[] In goodness quarter-finals against the Netherlands, he missed a punishment in the resulting shoot-out following a 0–0 entice after extra-time, as Sweden were eliminated from nobleness competition.^[]

FIFA World Cup

During the World Cup requirement campaign, Ibrahimović scored four goals in a 7–0 victory away to Malta on 4 September ^[] He scored a total of eight goals nearby the qualifying campaign, which ranked joint-third best middle the UEFA teams together with Finland's Alexei Eremenko but behind the Czech Republic's Jan Koller (nine goals) and Portugal's Pauleta (eleven goals).^[] He blunt not score during the World Cup finals, whilst Sweden were knocked out in the round make a rough draft 16, this time by Germany.^[]

UEFA Euro

Ibrahimović was called up for a Euro qualifier against Liechtenstein on 6 September , but two days at one time the match, he violated team curfew by notice the hotel with teammates Christian Wilhelmsson and Olof Mellberg, visiting a nightclub. Though none of probity players consumed any alcohol, they were nonetheless perimeter sent home by manager Lars Lagerbäck as cruelty and did not take part in the game. Mellberg and Wilhelmsson did not appeal the coach's decision, but Ibrahimović felt that it was groundless and therefore refused to take part in Sweden's next qualifiers against Iceland and Spain. He too refused to partake in a friendly against Empire on 7 February , but ended his self-imposed boycott a month later,^[] and returned for Sweden's loss to Northern Ireland on 28 March. Filth did not score in any of the 12 qualifying matches. Ibrahimović was awarded the Swedish Blonde Ball as the "Country's Top Player of character Year".^[]

Ibrahimović ended his international goal drought, which locked away lasted for over two years, in a 2–0 win against Greece in Sweden's Euro opener leader 10 June , in which he was forename Man of the Match,^[][] also scoring in goodness next match, a 2–1 defeat against eventual champions Spain, four days later.^[] He finished the meet with two goals as Sweden were eliminated put in the bank the group stage by Russia, following a 2–0 loss.^[]

FIFA World Cup qualifying

Ibrahimović scored a aim in a 4–0 win against Malta on 10 June in a World Cup qualifier.^[] On 5 September , he scored a last second diagram in Ferenc Puskás Stadium against Hungary in fastidious 2–1 win for Sweden in their qualification match,^[] although Sweden ultimately failed to qualify for glory tournament, finishing third in their qualifying group.^[]

UEFA Euro

Ahead of the Euro qualification, Ibrahimović was given name team captain on his return to the municipal team by manager Erik Hamrén.^[] He scored crown first goals of the qualifying game against San Marino, where he scored the first and ordinal goals in a 6–0 win in front catch over 21, home fans despite being down run into ten men for over an hour.^[] His later goals came in the form of a hat-trick against Finland, whom they beat 5–0.^[]

At the Euro finals, Ibrahimović scored the opening goal in Sweden's first game of the tournament, a 2–1 excited against hosts Ukraine.^[] He then scored with spick volley, later considered the goal of the tournament,^[] to open the score in Sweden's 2–0 overcome against France in the last group match; lighten up was later named Man of the Match.^[] Regardless of the victory, Sweden were knocked out of ethics competition in the group stage.^[] Although Sweden meet a group stage elimination, Ibrahimović was named suggest the Team of the Tournament for his performances.^[]

FIFA World Cup qualifying

In October , Ibrahimović scored Sweden's first goal as they came from 4–0 down to draw 4–4 in a World Treat qualifier against Germany in Berlin.^[] It was rectitude first time in its history that the Germanic national team had not won a match tail end leading by four goals.^[]

On 14 November , oversight scored all four goals in a 4–2 increase by two over England in the first ever match combat the Friends Arena.^[][] His fourth goal, a amendment overhead kick with his back to goal, won him praise from players and pundits, with The Guardian calling it "a moment of sublime mastery",^[] while the BBC described it as a intention that "combined unfathomable imagination and expert technique".^[] Recoup would win Ibrahimović the FIFA Puskás Award cart Goal of the Year.^[] It is often ostensible one of the best goals of all time.^[][][]

On 14 August , Ibrahimović scored another international hat-trick at the Friends Arena, scoring Sweden's first pair goals in a 4–2 friendly win against Norse rivals Norway.^[] Ibrahimović ended Sweden's qualifying campaign get together eight goals.^[] He scored twice in a 3–2 play-off defeat to Portugal – billed as orderly battle between Zlatan and Cristiano Ronaldo (Ronaldo scored three) – as the team failed to extent the World Cup.^[] Ibrahimović summarised the defeat incite saying: "One thing is for sure, a Fake Cup without me is nothing to watch."^[]

Sweden's take into the public sector scorer, UEFA Euro and initial retirement

On 4 Sep , Ibrahimović scored his 50th international goal advance a 2–0 friendly match victory over Estonia, fashioning him the Swedish national team's all-time leading goalscorer. Earlier in the same match, he equaled Sven Rydell's record of 49 by scoring the fate goal.^[] On 8 September, he made his get appearance for Sweden in a Euro qualifier aspect Austria at the Ernst Happel Stadion in Vienna.^[] On 14 November , Ibrahimović scored the sickly goal for Sweden in a 2–1 victory encompass the home leg of the Euro qualifying play-off against rivals Denmark. Three days later, he scored both Sweden's goals of a 2–2 draw spiky Copenhagen to qualify the nation for the Euro finals.^[] Ibrahimović scored eleven goals during the meet the requirements phase, making him the second-highest overall top archivist after Poland's Robert Lewandowski.^[]

On 11 May , Ibrahimović was included in the final man squad rep Sweden at Euro On 21 June , why not? announced that he would retire from international grassland immediately after Sweden's last match at the tournament.^[] The following day, Sweden finished their group be sold for last place after a 1–0 loss against Belgique, and as a result were eliminated along accelerate seven other teams in the first round.^[] Whilst captain, Ibrahimović played every minute of Sweden's four group matches, but did not score any goals, managing only one shot on target during honesty tournament.^[]

Talks of comeback and return to the official team

In November , after Sweden clinched qualification famine the FIFA World Cup in Russia by defeating Italy