PHOTO: Bildbyrån
He is one of Swedish football’s greatest ever.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has done what many only dream of.
Now former national team captain Tommy Söderberg gives his honest confession about “Ibra”.
It was just Tommy Söderberg which gave the chance to a young Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the Swedish national team. The year was 2001 and the Swedish national team captain already saw the potential in the super talent from Rosengård.
Zlatan’s success
22 years later, Zlatan is one of Swedish football’s best players of all time and many claim that he is the best. “Ibra” has written blue and yellow history by becoming the most goalscorer ever on the men’s side and won the Ballon d’Or twelve times during his career.
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But since last spring, the football career is completely over and the Swedish people will miss Ibrahimovic on the football field. Former national team captain Tommy Söderberg now gives his big confession about what he really thinks about Zlatan.
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Söderberg’s words
These are honest words that every football lover should listen to.
– He is an incredible ambassador for football and sport in Sweden. He does things on a football field that no one else does. He has an incredible understanding of the game, says Söderberg in an interview with SVT Sport.
– I have never met such a fit person. He had such insight into what was required to take the steps he has.
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Söderberg spent three years together with Ibrahimovic in the Swedish national team from 2001 to 2004 and remembers above all the first time together.
– He was like other newcomers when he came in. He was a bit cautious and reserved and he listened. And then he grew throughout the journey, says the veteran coach and continues his tribute.
– The big breakthrough was the European Championship in 2004. He was so happy after that match (the 5-0 victory against Bulgaria) and he grew. The Italy match in 2004 and the 2-2 goal. He scores goals like that. No one else would think of trying to make that move. And Buffon (Italy’s goalkeeper) is scared, you can see from Buffon that he doesn’t really dare to enter the fight for the ball. And then Zlatan does that heel move the wrong way around. It is incredible that the ball can go between the crossbar and Vieri’s head.
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Tommy Söderberg hopes that Zlatan gets a dignified farewell from the Swedish Football Association and would like to see a role for the 41-year-old in the national team shortly.
– We had “Swarre” (Stefan Schwarz) in the U21 national team as a mentor. With the experience that Zlatan has, it would be good. Such roles should generally be invested much more in, I think, says Söderberg in the interview.
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