A year ago, Zlatan Ibrahimović announced the end of his football career and was then dismissed at his home club Milan. Tonight, a celebration of great proportions awaits at a well-maintained Friends Arena – when the Swedish men’s national football team says goodbye to the giant after Sweden’s training match against Serbia.
When Olof Lundh, editor-in-chief at Fotbollskanalen, has to select the favorite goals of all time, it is difficult:
– There is no one who comes close to his 62 goals. But it is clear that there are some that stand out a little extra, he says in Nyhetsmorgon.
Among the iconic goals selected are Zlatan’s header against Italy in Euro 2004, the overtime goal against Hungary in the World Cup qualifiers in 2005 and the bicycle kick against England in the opening match of the Friends Arena in 2012.
Most important off the field
But despite his 62 goals in the Swedish A national team – which is the most of all time – many still agree that it is off the pitch that he has made the biggest impression.
– The big thing is what he has done for Swedish football is off the field. A role model, someone that many have looked up to. It’s enough to talk to any Swedish national team player now – it’s their idol they have to thank, says Olof Lundh.
He continues to highlight the importance of Zlatan’s journey – from tough circumstances at Rosengård, on to Malmö FF and Ajax, and then spending the rest of his career in big clubs such as Juventus, Milan and Paris SG.
– It’s a bit American to come from nothing to become a billionaire with a private plane. It gave many people strength to see that it is possible – it is possible in Sweden, it is possible for me, says Lundh.
And tonight, Zlatan Ibrahimović takes the honorary stand at Friends Arena together with specially invited guests. How the withdrawal will look is being kept secret so far. But it is clear that there will be many who want to pay tribute to him:
– He opened the door for many people – and that is what we should thank him for the most, Olof Lundh notes.
Today 08:55
Zlatan is thanked after tonight’s national team match
“The story of Zlatan” can be seen on TV4 Play.