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Zlatan Ibrahimovic scoring the winning goal in the League Cup Final.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Manchester Utd badge.

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?

Ibrahimovic celebrating a goal.

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?

Zlatan Ibrahimovic with the League Cup trophy.

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?

Zlatan speaks to another of Man Utd's big signings - Paul Pogba.

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?

Zlatan is already popular with Man Utd fans.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

GARGER
19/12/2023
CC
94
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


GARGER
19/12/2023 15:01
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
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

GARGER
19/12/2023
CC
94
points

Zlatan is a very good player but he is also very cocky


GARGER
19/12/2023 15:00
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Luton Town
94

Zlatan is a very good player but he is also very cocky

Denis2000's picture
Denis2000
25/08/2023
BY
713
points

the best football acrobat


Denis2000's picture
Denis2000
25/08/2023 13:56
Belarus
Tottenham Hotspur
713

the best football acrobat

hsn's picture
hsn
17/09/2022
TR
5558
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.


hsn's picture
hsn
17/09/2022 16:38
Turkey
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.

Ayande
03/07/2021
BE
409
points

The best


Ayande
03/07/2021 17:13
Belgium
Arsenal
409

The best

Davis1727
18/02/2021
PE
100
points

Good.


Davis1727
18/02/2021 15:20
Peru
Wolverhampton Wanderers
100

Good.

Hector Pinzon's picture
Hector Pinzon
07/08/2020
CO
496
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.


Hector Pinzon's picture
Hector Pinzon
07/08/2020 01:28
Colombia
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.

mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
28/06/2020
TR
6539
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.


mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
28/06/2020 16:32
Turkey
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.

mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
28/06/2020
TR
6539
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.


mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
28/06/2020 16:30
Turkey
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.

mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
28/06/2020
TR
6539
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.


mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
28/06/2020 16:28
Turkey
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.

QTN03's picture
QTN03
14/06/2019
VN
19
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.


QTN03's picture
QTN03
14/06/2019 16:55
Vietnam
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.

Englerrsit's picture
Englerrsit
24/05/2019
VN
16
points

He is a very good
footbail player


Englerrsit's picture
Englerrsit
24/05/2019 13:50
Vietnam
Manchester United
16

He is a very good
footbail player

mufans's picture
mufans
04/06/2018
VN
763
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


mufans's picture
mufans
04/06/2018 15:01
Vietnam
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

Maks Poland
28/04/2018
PL
823
points

I really enjoyed reading about my favourite footballer. 


Maks Poland
28/04/2018 09:30
Poland
Manchester United
823

I really enjoyed reading about my favourite footballer. 

kirito2001
10/11/2017
VN
180
points

I'm the fan of Ibrahimovic because he plays for MU! :)


kirito2001
10/11/2017 13:37
Vietnam
Manchester United
180

I'm the fan of Ibrahimovic because he plays for MU! :)

assemjuve's picture
assemjuve
09/07/2017
PS
3705
points

Yes of course,before the start of the match all the fans sing together that anthem.


assemjuve's picture
assemjuve
09/07/2017 21:00
Palestinian Territory
Liverpool
3705

Yes of course,before the start of the match all the fans sing together that anthem.

assemjuve's picture
assemjuve
09/07/2017
PS
3705
points

I think he is one of the best if he is not the best.


assemjuve's picture
assemjuve
09/07/2017 20:59
Palestinian Territory
Liverpool
3705

I think he is one of the best if he is not the best.

assemjuve's picture
assemjuve
09/07/2017
PS
3705
points

Yes i did,actually i think Southhampton deserved to win but the experience of Man United players helped them to win.


assemjuve's picture
assemjuve
09/07/2017 20:58
Palestinian Territory
Liverpool
3705

Yes i did,actually i think Southhampton deserved to win but the experience of Man United players helped them to win.

bolinhas02's picture
bolinhas02
03/04/2017
PT
9
points

CR7


bolinhas02's picture
bolinhas02
03/04/2017 10:05
Portugal
Manchester United
9

CR7

numrut's picture
numrut
28/03/2017
UA
140
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.


numrut's picture
numrut
28/03/2017 12:40
Ukraine
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.

Ahmed Adam Mamado's picture
Ahmed Adam Mamado
13/03/2017
SD
2903
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


Ahmed Adam Mamado's picture
Ahmed Adam Mamado
13/03/2017 10:23
Sudan
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

Ruslanjon
02/03/2017
UZ
1079
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.


Ruslanjon
02/03/2017 07:18
Uzbekistan
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.

Emil
01/03/2017
RU
241
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.


Emil
01/03/2017 19:39
Russia
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.

Emir Veličanstveni's picture
Emir Veličanstveni
01/03/2017
BA
1449
points

B O S N I A N K I N G!


Emir Veličanstveni's picture
Emir Veličanstveni
01/03/2017 19:16
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Arsenal
1449

B O S N I A N K I N G!

VASYLTURCHYN's picture
VASYLTURCHYN
01/03/2017
UA
7
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")))


VASYLTURCHYN's picture
VASYLTURCHYN
01/03/2017 19:03
Ukraine
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")))

aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
01/03/2017
ME
3557
points

Even at his age he's the best footballer in the PL. He is of the crucial importance for Utd.


aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
01/03/2017 16:39
Montenegro
Arsenal
3557

Even at his age he's the best footballer in the PL. He is of the crucial importance for Utd.

elghoul's picture
elghoul
01/03/2017
DZ
3988
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.


elghoul's picture
elghoul
01/03/2017 15:56
Algeria
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.

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Top Scorers
RankNameScore
1Alex_from_Ukraine6577
2mobeckham6539
3hsn5558
4wsanta5086
5kwesimanifest4779
6Liubomyr4417
7elghoul3988
8assemjuve3705
9aragorn19863557
10Gergő Nagy3396
Country ranking
RankNameScore
1Colombia74670
2Ukraine33869
3Spain29469
4Serbia27426
5Brazil23472
6Albania20578
7Vietnam20455
8Turkey20109
9Macedonia19074
10Bosnia and Herzegovina16333
Club ranking
RankNameScore
1Manchester United146812
2Liverpool111355
3Chelsea90220
4Arsenal86350
5Manchester City58845
6Tottenham Hotspur19474
7Newcastle United10625
8West Ham United7671
9AFC Bournemouth4915
10Crystal Palace4539

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Average: 3 (1 vote)

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