Photo: Bildbyrån
It is not easy to have Zlatan Ibrahimovic as a father – especially if you want to become a football professional yourself.
Now Zlatan is trying to take the pressure off Maximilian and Vincent’s shoulders.
– I tell my children that they should not do this to me. They should do it for themselves, he says in the podcast “2Legendary with Shedeur Sanders”.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Helena Segers two sons Maximilian18, and Vincent16, is growing to a breaking point. They represent Sweden’s boys’ national team and play everyday in AC Milan. But their last name constantly reminds everyone who their father is – and expectations for the boys automatically increase.
Zlatan’s words about the sons
When Zlatan was on the podcast “2Legendary with Shedeur Sanders” recently, he talked about Maximilian and Vincent and the demands and pressure they carry because of him.
– My children are talented, because they have self-discipline. The only pressure they have is being compared to me, which isn’t fair to them. But at the same time, you as a person must be able to take it as a driving force to cope with even more. Never be satisfied and strive for more. It will take you further than your talent, he says.
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Father Ibrahimovic wants his sons to play for their own sake and not to satisfy someone else’s needs. He has advised them to think for themselves and follow their hearts, to do what they want. Otherwise, they might as well stop playing football.
– I tell my children that they should not do this to me. They should do it for themselves. If you choose to enter my world, you do it for yourself, not for my sake. If they are doing this to me, they should stop now, he says.
READ MORE: Maximilian Ibrahimovic is removed from the national team
WATCH THE CLIP: Maximilian Ibrahimovic dribbles up Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the stands
Zlatan about the father role
At the same time, the former national team player does not want to influence his sons too much – or overprotect them. It’s about finding a good balance there.
– If they are protected too much, it will mean that you have to be by their side all the time. But they have to stop doing that, because they need to be able to take care of themselves. If they become too protected, they will not survive, he says.
– I try to find a balance in it. I try to guide them both as a former former player and as a father, he continues.
It is clear that having Zlatan as a father has often been stressful for Maximilian and Vincent, given all the expectations people have of them. Hope they feel for themselves that they are playing on their terms and that they are having fun.
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