When Maradona spoke – then people listened.
Even Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The Argentine once shared valuable tips with the Swede – which may have changed everything.
When Diego Maradona passed away, far too soon, the entire football world mourned. There are many who consider the Argentinian the highest of all time, and it is hard to argue against the fact that he is among the absolute top footballers of all time.
Maradona’s tribute
Maradona was completely unique in the way he played football. He flew forward on the field, and with a godlike technique. He poured in goals and assists, turning Napoli into a top team to reckon with. When he finished his career, he did so as perhaps the most admired player in history, and his memory will live on forever.
Maradona was also a coach for many years, and he was someone that almost all world stars looked up to. So does Zlatan Ibrahimovic. And the fact is that Ibrahimovic and Maradona had some contact during the beginning of the Swede’s career, when he broke through in Serie A. When Maradona met Expressen for an interview in 2006, he heaped praise on the Swede, but he was also clear that it there were clear areas for improvement.
Unknown council
Maradona then told what the Swede needed to improve.
– Zlatan is a good player. But he must be closer to the goal. After all, he only lives on three quarters of the pitch. Everything he performs there, he has to take with him in front of the goal, he said.
But Maradona also gave advice to Zlatan.
– I have spoken to Zlatan through Ciro – Ciro Ferrara (former Juventus defender), a really good friend – and said that he should take direct aim at the goal more often. Don’t wait too long when he gets the chance. He has to make sure that he doesn’t have to wear too much down the pitch before he has to finish. That is, he must seek out – and choose – the situations that allow him to finish more powerfully inside the penalty area.
However, Maradona was clear that it was up to Zlatan to do any of the advice he gave.
– At least that’s what I told him. After that, it still depends on so many other things, he said.
After the interview, Zlatan Ibrahimovic also started, by chance or not, to deliver properly. He emerged as a world-class striker, scoring goals in season after season, and country after country.
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