Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Zlatan wins the cup for United!
Zlatan Ibrahimovic was the hero for Manchester United in last weekend's League Cup Final against Southampton. The striker's dramatic 87th-minute header gave United a 3-2 win against a brave Southampton side, who were the better team for much of the match. It looked like Southampton's new Italian striker, Manolo Gabbiadini, might be the star of the show, but he had a goal wrongly disallowed, for offside, early in the match. Against the run of play, United took the lead when Ibrahimovic scored a wonderful free-kick and the match looked over when United scored a second through Jesse Lingard, in the 38th minute. But two goals from Gabbiadini, either side of half-time, turned the game on its head. Southampton looked stronger and they hit the post. In the 86th minute, United were thankful to Ibrahimovic when he headed the ball off his own goalline, and less than a minute later he scored the winner with a powerful header. It's the fifth time Manchester United have won the League Cup and this was Zlatan's first major trophy in England. Will he win more this season?
You appreciate it more the older you get. Wherever I have gone I have won. I think this is trophy number 32 for me. I'm enjoying it in England. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, speaking after the League Cup Final.
Where is Zlatan from?
Zlatan Ibrahimovic was born on 3 October 1981 in Malmo, Sweden. He signed his first professional contract with his local side, Malmo FF, when he was 15 years old. He made his first team début in 1999 and scored 18 goals in 47 appearances. At this time, Arsene Wenger, made an attempt to buy Ibrahimovic for Arsenal but when Wenger asked him to come to London for a trial, Ibrahimovic said no. Instead, he signed for the Dutch club, Ajax, for €8.7 million. Ibrahimovic's parents emigrated to Sweden separately in the 1970s, his father is a Bosnian Muslim and his mother a Croatian Catholic. He still spends his summers in Malmo and has said that he would like to finish his career at his hometown club.
No way, Zlatan doesn't do auditions. Ibrahimovic talking about Arsene Wenger offering him a trial back in 1999.
Where has he played?
Ibrahimovic has played for some of the biggest clubs in European football and has scored goals wherever he has been. He scored 48 times in 110 matches for Ajax before moving to Italy, where he played for Juventus (26 goals in 92 games), Inter Milan (66 in 117) and AC Milan (56 in 85). He also had a season at Barcelona (22 in 46), in Spain, between playing for the two Milan clubs. He famously fell out with the Barcelona manager, Pep Guardiola, who is now also in Manchester, as the manager of Manchester City. Following his time in Italy, Ibrahimovic signed for Paris St.Germain in 2012 and became PSG's all-time top scorer. He scored an amazing 156 goals in only 180 appearances for the club. Ibrahimovic has won league titles in four different countries (Holland, Italy, Spain and France) and will become the first player to win titles in five different countries if he wins the Premier League with Manchester Utd.
It was football from another planet and I loved it. It was technically perfect. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, talking about his time with Barcelona.
What about outside football?
Ibrahimovic is a big taekwondo fan and has practised the sport since he was a child in Sweden and got his black-belt when he was 17 years old. He also received an honorary black-belt from the Italian Taekwondo team when playing for AC Milan. Ibrahimovic is famous for scoring acrobatic goals and many people believe this is due to his ability to kick his legs so high from doing taekwondo. Languages are also an important part of Zlatan's life, he speaks five languages fluently. He speaks Swedish, Bosnian, Italian, Spanish and English. Ibrahimovic is one of the most famous people in Sweden and has received many accolades. He has had a film made about his early life. It is called 'Becoming Zlatan' and has been shown at a number of film festivals. The Swedish post office has released a series of postage stamps with Zlatan's image on them and he has even had a pop song in his honour. The song, called 'Who's da Man' was number one in Sweden for 10 weeks!
Is Ibrahimovic a pop star?
In 2014, Zlatan Ibrahimovic recorded a version of the Swedish national anthem for an advertisement. He complained that the old version of the anthem was boring so he didn't sing it despite being very proud of being Swedish and his mixed heritage. He said that his version of the anthem was much better and many Swedish people agreed with him. In 2015, Ibrahimovic received a gold record because the song had been listened to over 3 million times. The song is called Du Gamla, Du Fria – translated as Thou Ancient, Thou Free. Have a listen. Do you like it or do you prefer watching him on the football pitch?
We are all different, yet equal. My dad is from Bosnia and Muslim. My mother is Croatian and Catholic. But I was born in Sweden and am a Swedish citizen. You cannot change that. Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Quiz - How much did you understand?
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What do you think?
Did you watch the Cup Final? Did Manchester Utd deserve to win?
Is Zlatan Ibrahimovic the best striker in the Premier League? How important is he for Manchester Utd?
Does your country have a national anthem? Do people often sing it? Why/why not?
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Comentários
19/12/2023
points
In the 86tminute, United were thankful to Ibrahimovic when he headed the ball off his goalline, andlater he scored the winner. It's the fifth time Manchester United have won the League Cup
19/12/2023 15:01
Luton Town
94
In the 86tminute, United were thankful to Ibrahimovic when he headed the ball off his goalline, andlater he scored the winner. It's the fifth time Manchester United have won the League Cup
19/12/2023
points
Zlatan is a very good player but he is also very cocky
19/12/2023 15:00
Luton Town
94
Zlatan is a very good player but he is also very cocky
25/08/2023
points
the best football acrobat
25/08/2023 13:56
Tottenham Hotspur
713
the best football acrobat
17/09/2022
points
Sentences
• Either oppositions or government agreed that against run of investments and exports , inflation turned the graph of the performance of economy on its head.
• A goal from long range out of penalty area always deserves accolades.
17/09/2022 16:38
Tottenham Hotspur
5558
Sentences
• Either oppositions or government agreed that against run of investments and exports , inflation turned the graph of the performance of economy on its head.
• A goal from long range out of penalty area always deserves accolades.
03/07/2021
points
The best
03/07/2021 17:13
Arsenal
409
The best
18/02/2021
points
Good.
18/02/2021 15:20
Wolverhampton Wanderers
100
Good.
07/08/2020
points
I saw that match.
Ibrahimovic is one of the best strikers in the world.
Colombian national anthem is one of the best anthems in the world. Colombian people loved it.
07/08/2020 01:28
Manchester United
496
I saw that match.
Ibrahimovic is one of the best strikers in the world.
Colombian national anthem is one of the best anthems in the world. Colombian people loved it.
28/06/2020
points
We do have a national anthem for sure in Egypt and Turkey and people often sing it during special events.
Students sing it in the assembly on Monday mornings and Friday afternoons.
28/06/2020 16:32
Manchester United
6539
We do have a national anthem for sure in Egypt and Turkey and people often sing it during special events.
Students sing it in the assembly on Monday mornings and Friday afternoons.
28/06/2020
points
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is one of the best strikers of all times not only in the Premier League and he was incredible but the injury ended up his career with us.
28/06/2020 16:30
Manchester United
6539
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is one of the best strikers of all times not only in the Premier League and he was incredible but the injury ended up his career with us.
28/06/2020
points
Of course I watched the game as I watch all Manchester United games and we did deserve to win the game although Southampton played a fantastic game.
28/06/2020 16:28
Manchester United
6539
Of course I watched the game as I watch all Manchester United games and we did deserve to win the game although Southampton played a fantastic game.
14/06/2019
points
I have never liked Manchester Utd, but I like Zlatan. He is one of the best striker in Premier League. He has got a same playing style like Van Nistelrooy, a Holland striker, that is strong, skilled, sourceful and agile.
He can make a goal from all parts of his body, except for hands, as well as from many distances and positions. His skills are on top of football books, that I think he was born for playing football with fun. He always amazes me with stunning goals.
Because of his talent and personality, he is an important player for any clubs, and of course for MU as well. His enthusiasm blow up other players to be more confident and stronger.
Unfortunately, he came to MU when MU was flooding in a bad era. He has gotten just a few remarkable achievements there.
14/06/2019 16:55
Liverpool
19
I have never liked Manchester Utd, but I like Zlatan. He is one of the best striker in Premier League. He has got a same playing style like Van Nistelrooy, a Holland striker, that is strong, skilled, sourceful and agile.
He can make a goal from all parts of his body, except for hands, as well as from many distances and positions. His skills are on top of football books, that I think he was born for playing football with fun. He always amazes me with stunning goals.
Because of his talent and personality, he is an important player for any clubs, and of course for MU as well. His enthusiasm blow up other players to be more confident and stronger.
Unfortunately, he came to MU when MU was flooding in a bad era. He has gotten just a few remarkable achievements there.
24/05/2019
points
He is a very good
footbail player
24/05/2019 13:50
Manchester United
16
He is a very good
footbail player
04/06/2018
points
He is a lion. He always scores in the important time on the match. He is my best player in MU in 2017. But he has an long term injury so he have to left MU. He goes to LA Galaxy to play with some old players. and the first match, he is great he scored 2 goals to win with the opponents
04/06/2018 15:01
Manchester United
763
He is a lion. He always scores in the important time on the match. He is my best player in MU in 2017. But he has an long term injury so he have to left MU. He goes to LA Galaxy to play with some old players. and the first match, he is great he scored 2 goals to win with the opponents
28/04/2018
points
I really enjoyed reading about my favourite footballer.
28/04/2018 09:30
Manchester United
823
I really enjoyed reading about my favourite footballer.
10/11/2017
points
I'm the fan of Ibrahimovic because he plays for MU! :)
10/11/2017 13:37
Manchester United
180
I'm the fan of Ibrahimovic because he plays for MU! :)
09/07/2017
points
Yes of course,before the start of the match all the fans sing together that anthem.
09/07/2017 21:00
Liverpool
3705
Yes of course,before the start of the match all the fans sing together that anthem.
09/07/2017
points
I think he is one of the best if he is not the best.
09/07/2017 20:59
Liverpool
3705
I think he is one of the best if he is not the best.
09/07/2017
points
Yes i did,actually i think Southhampton deserved to win but the experience of Man United players helped them to win.
09/07/2017 20:58
Liverpool
3705
Yes i did,actually i think Southhampton deserved to win but the experience of Man United players helped them to win.
03/04/2017
points
CR7
03/04/2017 10:05
Manchester United
9
CR7
28/03/2017
points
Correct me
Unfortunately, I didn't watch the Cup Final.
Ibra is one of the best players in the PL, not just the strikers. His role in the team can't be overemphasised. He is the example to follow for the United's young players.
My country has the incredible national anthem. It became the symbol of Euromaidan and the War with Russia. It is our symbol of struggle. Ukrainians sing it with special proud.
28/03/2017 12:40
Liverpool
140
Correct me
Unfortunately, I didn't watch the Cup Final.
Ibra is one of the best players in the PL, not just the strikers. His role in the team can't be overemphasised. He is the example to follow for the United's young players.
My country has the incredible national anthem. It became the symbol of Euromaidan and the War with Russia. It is our symbol of struggle. Ukrainians sing it with special proud.
13/03/2017
points
yes i did watched the final and i wanted the underdog Southampton to win, they were unlucky to have a wrongly disallowed goal and a cross-bar hit, but Man U deserved the cup
13/03/2017 10:23
Liverpool
2903
yes i did watched the final and i wanted the underdog Southampton to win, they were unlucky to have a wrongly disallowed goal and a cross-bar hit, but Man U deserved the cup
02/03/2017
points
I watched the Cup Final and really enjoyed it. My favourite team defeated Southampton thanks to Zlatan. He has very high self-esteem and confidence which has been helping him during his all career. I think Zlatan is one fo the best strikers in the world. When Zlatan is on the pitch, I have a feeling that he can make up something and help Manchester Utd.
02/03/2017 07:18
Manchester United
1079
I watched the Cup Final and really enjoyed it. My favourite team defeated Southampton thanks to Zlatan. He has very high self-esteem and confidence which has been helping him during his all career. I think Zlatan is one fo the best strikers in the world. When Zlatan is on the pitch, I have a feeling that he can make up something and help Manchester Utd.
01/03/2017
points
I don't think Zlatan is the best striker. I don't like his style of play, but I like his confidence and passion. He deserve what he has achieved, but I think there are a lot of better players in the premier league.
01/03/2017 19:39
Chelsea
241
I don't think Zlatan is the best striker. I don't like his style of play, but I like his confidence and passion. He deserve what he has achieved, but I think there are a lot of better players in the premier league.
01/03/2017
points
B O S N I A N K I N G!
01/03/2017 19:16
Arsenal
1449
B O S N I A N K I N G!
01/03/2017
points
Yeap, I watched Cup Final! Offcourse, I'am a fan of MU and I want MU win all the time, but I think both team deserved to win the trophy.
Zlatan is one of the greatest striker of all the time, but i can't say he is the best in this season now. Will see
Yes, we have anthem called "Ukraine is still alive")))
01/03/2017 19:03
Manchester United
7
Yeap, I watched Cup Final! Offcourse, I'am a fan of MU and I want MU win all the time, but I think both team deserved to win the trophy.
Zlatan is one of the greatest striker of all the time, but i can't say he is the best in this season now. Will see
Yes, we have anthem called "Ukraine is still alive")))
01/03/2017
points
Even at his age he's the best footballer in the PL. He is of the crucial importance for Utd.
01/03/2017 16:39
Arsenal
3557
Even at his age he's the best footballer in the PL. He is of the crucial importance for Utd.
01/03/2017
points
Zlatan is not the best striker in the Premier League but he scored famous goals with Man U.
In Algeria people is always proud when listening to the anthem and used to sing it in the school.
01/03/2017 15:56
Manchester City
3988
Zlatan is not the best striker in the Premier League but he scored famous goals with Man U.
In Algeria people is always proud when listening to the anthem and used to sing it in the school.