PHOTO: Bildbyrån + Youtube
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is one of Swedish football’s greatest.
But we never forget when he spoke straight from the heart.
And paid tribute to the late Klas Ingesson in the most beautiful way.
2014 was a sad year for Swedish football. Both the WC 94 hero Class Ingesson and the then BP team captain Pontus Segerström died of cancer and was mourned throughout the country.
Zlatan’s acceptance speech
Amidst the grief, the 2014 Football Gala was held and the most prestigious award, the Golden Ball, was awarded Zlatan Ibrahimovic for the ninth time in his career. When he stepped on stage to give his acceptance speech, he moved many to tears by paying tribute to the late footballers in the most beautiful way.
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Zlatan spoke straight from the heart when he received his ninth Ballon d’Or, see the video below.
– I’m still living my boyhood dream when it comes to football. All these awards I have received are proof that you have done something well. But it ends up in the shadow of what happened to Klas (Ingesson) and what happened to Pontus (Segerström). I myself had a brother who passed away a few months ago from a similar illness…, he says.
– There is a life on the side that is much more important than this. May they rest in peace and a big thank you to everyone who helped me on and off the pitch. Without you this is not possible. Thanks.
READ MORE: Therefore, Zlatan Ibrahimovic owes a debt of gratitude to Ronnie Hellström after the unknown advice: “He asked me”
Celebrated Klas
Ibrahimovic spoke about his brother Sapko, who also passed away in 2014. The emotional words touched both Therese Sjögran and Helena Victory to tears in the audience, watch the video below.
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Even the widow Veronica Ingesson saw Zlatan’s speech and the nice words about Klas. After the gala, she gives a big thank you to “Ibra” for the respectful gesture.
– I saw the Football Gala. It was very kind of him to make such a tribute, I think. It was nice and dignified, she tells Expressen.
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READ MORE: The time Klas Ingesson offered the solo show of his career – and turned the entire defense into cones
Watch the video: