Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s most outrageous quotes: ‘I’m like a fine wine. The older I am, the better I get’
Cristiano Ronaldo and Pep Guardiola among those on the end of the rent-a-quote superstar's sharp tongue
HE'S here...Zlatan Ibrahimovic has confirmed he's about to touchdown and play for Manchester United.
The Swedish superstar is the most quotable footballer of recent years ...and here are some of his best.
BEST PRESENT
IBRAHIMOVIC’S wife is a lucky woman — at least, according to the star himself.
On what he bought her for a birthday, he said: “Nothing. She already has Zlatan.”
Enough said?
GETTING FRUITY
THE big Swede does not take too kindly to criticism.
After former Aston Villa player John Carew took a swipe at his ‘pointless’ skills, he said: “What Carew does with a football, I can do with an orange.”
Lesson learned, John?
ATTENTION SEEKER
SWEDEN missed out on the 2014 World Cup when they were beaten by Portugal — and mainly by Cristiano Ronaldo.
In typical fashion, Ibrahimovic was quick to point out that his loss was also the world’s.
He said: “One thing is for sure, a World Cup without me is nothing to watch.”
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PERFECTLY FUNNY
WE will keep this one short and sweet.
He said: “I can’t help but laugh at how perfect I am.”
OK, Zlatan...
DRIVING ME MAD
THE former Inter Milan star was also briefly at Barcelona - but that does not bring back fond memories.
When talking about boss Pep Guardiola’s treatment of him, he said: “You bought a Ferrari but drove it like a Fiat.”
By Zlatan logic, the Catalan giants bought a Fiat for £59million. Bargain.
TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS
LOOK away Arsenal fans, it turns out Arsene Wenger missed out on Ibra — by offering him a trial as as teenager.
The Swede’s response? He said: “Wenger asked me to have a trial with Arsenal when I was 17.
“I turned it down. Zlatan doesn’t do auditions.”
Arrogant even then, apparently.
SWISS ROLL
THE striker is a nightmare to mark whoever you are - and the Liverpool defender Stephane Henchoz found out the hard way.
After dominating the centre-back, Ibrahimovic said: “First I went left, he did too. Then I went right, he did too.
“Then I went left again, and he went to buy a hot dog.”
Tasty... footwork.
VINTAGE ZLATAN
HE may be closing in on the golden years of his career, but Ibra reckons that can only be a good thing.
When quizzed on his age, he said: “I’m like a fine wine. The older I am, the better I get.”
I’m looking forward to Zlatan aged 50, in that case.
PEP TALK
ANOTHER dig at former boss Guardiola to round things off.
When asked about the styles of Pep and Jose Mourinho, he said: “Mourinho is Guardiola’s opposite.
“If Mourinho brightens up the room, Guardiola pulls down the curtains.”
Seems like the Special One steals the show.