Wednesday, December 2, 2009

ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimović

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Zlatan Ibrahimovic
[[1]]
Personal information
Date of birth 3 October 1981 (1981-10-03) (age 27)
Place of birth Malmö, Sweden
Height 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in)[1]
Playing position Striker
Club information
Current club FC Barcelona
Number 9
Youth career
1987–1991 Malmö BI
1989–1995 Balkan
1995–1999 Malmö FF
Senior career*
Years Club Apps† (Gls)†
1999–2001 Malmö FF 40 (16)
2001–2004 Ajax 74 (35)
2004–2006 Juventus 70 (23)
2006–2009 Internazionale 88 (57)
2009– FC Barcelona 0 (0)
National team‡
2001 Sweden U-21 7 (6)
2001– Sweden 56 (21)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 2 May 2009.

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 15 March 2009

Zlatan Ibrahimović (born on 3 October 1981) is a Swedish football player of Bosnian[2] and Croatian[2] parentage who plays for Spanish La Liga club FC Barcelona and the Swedish national team.

As of February 2009, Ibrahimović, along with Kaká, were the highest salaried football players in the world with an annual pay of €9 million.[3] Ibrahimović won the Capocannonieri on 31 May, 2009 with 25 domestic goals during the season. He currently holds the record for the second highest transfer fee in football history, with a total of €69 million. On 28 July, 2009, Ibrahimović was ranked as the 5th best footballer in the world of the 2008-2009 football season.[4]

Contents

[hide]

[edit] Early life

Ibrahimović was born to a Bosniak father, Šefik, and a Croatian mother, Jurka,[2] who emigrated to Sweden, where they first met. Ibrahimović grew up in Rosengård, a Malmö neighbourhood known for its immigrant communities, along with his three sisters and two brothers. After receiving his football boots, Ibrahimović began playing football at the age of eight, alternating between local junior clubs Malmö BI and FBK Balkan[5][6] While in his early teens, he was a regular in his hometown club Malmö FF.[6] At the age of 15, Ibrahimović was close to quitting his football career, but his manager convinced him to continue playing.[7] Ibrahimović successfully completed junior high school in the ninth grade, and though he was admitted to Borgarskolan, he soon dropped out of high school to focus on his football career.

[edit] Club career

[edit] Malmö FF (1996-2001)

Ibrahimović signed his first contract with his hometown club Malmö FF in 1996, and moved up to the senior side for the 1999 season of Allsvenskan, Sweden's top-flight league. That season, Malmö finished 13th in the league and were relegated to the second division, but returned to the top flight the next season. Arsenal coach Arsène Wenger unsuccessfully tried to persuade Ibrahimović to join, while AFC Ajax coach Leo Beenhakker also expressed interest in the player after watching him in a training match against Norwegian side Moss FK. On 22 March 2001, a deal between Ajax and Malmö regarding Ibrahimović's transfer to Amsterdam was announced, and in July, Ibrahimović officially joined Ajax for €7.8 million.[8]

[edit] Ajax (2001-2004)

Ibrahimović received little playing time under manager Co Adriaanse, but when Adriaanse was sacked on 29 November 2001, new coach Ronald Koeman inserted Ibrahimović into the starting lineup as Ajax won the 2001-02 Eredivisie title. The next season, Ibrahimović scored twice in a 2-1 victory over perennial French champions Olympique Lyonnais in his Champions League debut on 17 September 2002. He scored four Champions League goals overall as Ajax fell to AC Milan in the quarter-finals. In his final season with Ajax, Ibrahimović's profile rose when he scored a breath-taking goal against NAC Breda on 22 August 2004, a goal that was eventually voted the "Goal of the Year" by Eurosport viewers.[9] He netted only once in the 2003-04 Champions League (against Celta de Vigo on 22 October) as Ajax were eliminated in the group stage.

On 18 August 2004, Ibrahimović injured fellow Ajax teammate Rafael van der Vaart during an international match against the Netherlands, which led to accusations from van der Vaart that Ibrahimović had hurt him intentionally. This led to Ibrahimović's sudden sale to Juventus on 31 August.[10]

[edit] Juventus (2004-2006)

Ibrahimović moved from Ajax to Juventus for a €16 million transfer fee[11]. He was promptly inserted into the starting eleven due in part to top scorer David Trezeguet's injury problems, and scored sixteen goals. Near the end of the season, Juventus reportedly rejected a €70 million bid for him from Real Madrid, which was later revealed to be a publicity stunt initiated by Ibrahimović's agent, Mino Raiola, in order to increase his market value.[9] On 14 November 2005, he was awarded the Guldbollen, a prize awarded to the best Swedish footballer of the year.[12]

The following season was poor compared to his first season; his role in Juventus' attack changed, as he became less of a goalscorer and moved more to the sidelines, taking much part in the build-up play, especially as a target player, and his assist numbers increased. In the 2005-06 season, Juventus fans often got frustrated with him due to his anonymous presence in certain important games such as the Champions League defeat to Arsenal. Juventus were stripped of their last two Scudetti as part of the verdict from the Calciopoli scandal, and were relegated to Serie B. The new staff tried to persuade Ibrahimović and other top players to stay with Juventus, but the player and his agent were adamant to move on, with Raiola threatening legal action in order to extricate Ibrahimović from his contract.[13]

[edit] Internazionale (2006-2009)

Ibrahimović and Mario Balotelli against Palermo in 2009.

Ibrahimović signed a four-year contract with Internazionale on 10 August 2006,[14]a few days after Patrick Vieira completed his transfer. Internazionale paid Juventus for €24.8 million.[15] He revealed that he supported Internazionale when he was young,[16] He started his spell at the club by scoring one goal and assisting another in a league match against Fiorentina and ended his first season as Inter's top goalscorer with 15 goals.

Ibrahimović played his 100th Serie A match on 16 September 2007. His contract was renewed in 2007, last until June 2013.[17] He was estimated as the top of footballer wages.[18] He scored two Champions League goals in the group stage against PSV on 2 October, which marked his first European goals since December 2005 and his first goals overall in an Inter jersey, and finished with five goals in seven Champions League matches. Against Parma in the final league matchday on 18 May 2008, he returned from a chronic knee injury and scored both goals as Inter won 2-0, clinching their third straight Scudetto.

On 16 November 2008, Ibrahimović said that he would not return to the Allsvenskan of Sweden as an active player, but he would stay the rest of his active career as a player abroad.[citation needed]

Ibrahimović's 2008-09 season started brilliantly, hitting the back of the net in Inter's first league match. His goal against Bologna was voted "Goal of the Year". He scored it with his heel without moving and accurately into the net from a cross by the Brazilian Adriano.[19] Ibrahimović's form this season has so far been eye-catching, with clever movement off and on the ball, and his passing has been outstanding, such as his acrobatic pass against Lazio. He ended a month long goal drought against Genoa, handing them their first home loss of the season, making Inter the only team not to lose at home in the league. In the final league game of the season, Ibrahimović scored twice against Atalanta, securing the Capocannoniere for himself by finishing one goal ahead of Marco Di Vaio and Diego Milito.

[edit] FC Barcelona (2009-present)

Ibrahimović on his first day of individual training for FC Barcelona after his hand surgery.

After Maxwell completed his transfer to FC Barcelona, president Joan Laporta confirmed that there was an agreement in principle between Barcelona and Internazionale for Ibrahimović to join the club in exchange for Samuel Eto'o, plus a fee.[20] Ibrahimović left Internazionale from the United States on tour in the World Football Challenge on 23 July 2009 for negotiations with Barcelona, with his last match for Internazionale being against Chelsea.[21] After Internazionale agreed terms with Eto'o[22] and Barcelona with Ibrahimović,[23] Barcelona announced Ibrahimović would arrive on 26 July 2009 and undergo a medical test on 27 July 2009.[24] Ibrahimović passed his medical and was presented to a crowd of over 60,000 at Camp Nou.[25] He signed a 5-year contract,[26] for €46 million ($65 million)[26] and the exchange of Eto'o (valued at €20 million) and loan of Aliaksandr Hleb (with an option to buy for a €10 million fee),[26] with a €250 million release clause,[26] making Ibrahimović worth €66 million ($94 million). Afterwards, Hleb refused the transfer and later loaned out to VfB Stuttgart; therefore, Barcelona added a reported €3 million fee to compensate,[27] making Ibrahimović worth a final total of €69 million ($99 million). He currently earns an annual salary of €12 million.[28] Barcelona announced Ibrahimović successfully underwent surgery on his fractured left hand's second metacarpal on 28 July 2009.[29] He returned to full training on 12 August 2009 for Barcelona.[30]

[edit] 2009-2010 season

Ibrahimović made his competitive debut for FC Barcelona on 23 August 2009 by tallying an assist for teammate Lionel Messi, leading them to win the 2009 Spanish Super Cup. In his second competitive match, Ibrahimović helped his team win the 2009 UEFA Super Cup.

[edit] International career

Playing for Sweden.

Even though he was eligible to play for Bosnia and Croatia he chose to play for Sweden, his country of birth.[31]

Ibrahimović debuted for Sweden in a goalless friendly match against the Faroe Islands on 31 January 2001.[citation needed] His first competitive match was a 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan on 7 October. Ibrahimović was part of Sweden's 2002 World Cup finals squad who were eliminated in the round of 16 by newcomers Senegal.[citation needed]

Ibrahimović was a fixture in the starting lineup for Euro 2004, scoring a penalty against Bulgaria and rounding off a fine performance against the solid defense of Italy by scoring a late equaliser. However, he missed a penalty as Sweden were sent home following a shootout loss to the Netherlands. He went scoreless during the 2006 World Cup finals as Sweden were again snuffed out in the round of 16, this time by Germany.[citation needed]

He was called up for a Euro 2008 qualifier against Liechtenstein on 6 September 2006, but two days before the match, he violated team curfew by leaving the hotel with teammates Christian Wilhelmsson and Olof Mellberg and visiting a nightclub. Though none of the players consumed any alcohol, they were nonetheless all sent home by coach Lars Lagerbäck as punishment and did not take part in the match. Mellberg and Wilhelmsson did not appeal the coach's decision, but Ibrahimović felt that it was unjust and therefore refused to take part in Sweden's next qualifiers against Iceland and Spain. He also skipped a friendly against Egypt on 7 February 2007, but ended his self-imposed boycott a month later,[32] and returned for Sweden's loss to Northern Ireland on 28 March. He did not score in any of the 12 qualifying matches; his one goal was disallowed for offside in a 3-0 loss to Spain on 17 November. On 12 November 2007, Ibrahimović was awarded the 2007 Swedish Golden Ball as the "Country's Top Player of the Year."[citation needed]

Ibrahimović ended his international goal drought, which had lasted for over two years, against Greece in Sweden's Euro 2008 opener on 10 June 2008, and the next match against Spain four days later. He finished the tournament with two goals as Sweden were eliminated in the group stage by Russia.[citation needed]

[edit] Career statistics

Club performance League Cup Continental Total
Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Sweden League Svenska Cupen Europe Total
1999 Malmö FF Allsvenskan 6 1 - - 6 1
2000 Superettan 26 12 - - 26 12
2001 Allsvenskan 8 3 - - 8 3
Netherlands League KNVB Cup Europe Total
2001–02 Ajax Eredivisie 24 6 3 0 6 2 33 8
2002–03 25 13 3 3 13 5 41 21
2003–04 22 13 1 0 6 2 29 15
2004–05 3 3 - - 3 3
Italy League Coppa Italia Europe Total
2004–05 Juventus Serie A 35 16 0 0 10 0 45 16
2005–06 35 7 2 0 9 3 46 10
2006–07 Internazionale Serie A 27 15 2 0 7 0 36 15
2007–08 26 17 1 0 7 5 34 22
2008–09 35 25 3 3 8 1 46 29
Spain League Copa del Rey Europe Total
2009–10 FC Barcelona La Liga 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total Sweden 40 16 - - 40 16
Netherlands 74 35 7 3 25 9 106 47
Italy 156 80 8 2 41 9 202 91
Spain 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Career Total 270 131 15 5 66 18 348 154

[edit] International goals

  • Sweden score first

[edit] Personal life

Zlatan Ibrahimović's house in Malmö.

Zlatan Ibrahimović is married to Helena Seger and has 2 children, Maximilian (born on 22 September, 2006), and Vincent (born in 2008). They have a pet pug named Trustor. He currently resides in Barcelona, although he visits his summer home in Malmö annually. Ibrahimović received a black belt in Taekwondo at the age of 17, where he attended classes at a Malmö Taekwondo club called Enighet, Swedish for unity, which has helped his flexibility in the ability to take acrobatic shots and passes. He has stated that he enjoys watching new movies and traveling with his family.[33] Ibrahimović is fluent in Swedish, Bosnian, English, and Italian, and is learning Catalan.

[edit] Honours

[edit] Ajax

[edit] Internazionale

[edit] Barcelona

[edit] Individual

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Zlatan Ibrahimovic". FC Barcelona. http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/english/futbol/temporada_09-10/plantilla/jugadors/ibrahimovic.html. Retrieved 2009-07-30.
  2. ^ a b c Hawkey, Ian (2005-12-11). "The Big Interview: Zlatan Ibrahimović". The Sunday Times. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article757217.ece. Retrieved 2009-04-13.
  3. ^ "The 50 highest salaries of football players 2008/2009". www.futebolfinance.com. http://www.futebolfinance.com/en/os-50-maiores-salarios-de-jogadores-de-futebol-20082009/. Retrieved 2009-02-11.
  4. ^ "Goal.com 50: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (5)". www.goal.com. http://goal.com/en/news/2466/goalcom-50/2009/07/28/1396474/goalcom-50-zlatan-ibrahimovic-5. Retrieved 2009-07-28.
  5. ^ "Zlatan Ibrahimović". Evolvia. http://www.evolvia.se/ZlatanIbrahimovi%C4%87/tabid/54/Default.aspx.. Retrieved 2009-05-28. (Swedish)
  6. ^ a b "»Rosenberg - för mig är han högerback«". Sydsvenskan. http://sydsvenskan.se/sport/article96251/raquoRosenberg---for-mig-ar-han-hogerbacklaquo.html. Retrieved 2009-05-28. (Swedish)
  7. ^ Jönsson, Jan (2001-06-23). "Så blev Zlatan stor". Sydsvenskan. http://sydsvenskan.se/sport/article6845.ece. Retrieved 2009-05-28. (Swedish)
  8. ^ Historien om MFF - mff.se retrieved on December 7 2008
  9. ^ a b Career - Zlatanibrahimovic.net retrieved on December 7, 2008
  10. ^ Player Profile: Rafael van der Vaart - realmadridzone.com retrieved on December 7 2008
  11. ^ "Operations concerning Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Fabrizio Miccoli registration rights". Juventus. 2004-08-31. http://www.juventus.com/site/filesite/finance/comunicatipricesensitive/31_ago_2004_eng.pdf. Retrieved 2009-07–26.
  12. ^ Guldbollen 2005 till Zlatan Ibrahimovic - svenskfotboll.se retrieved on December 7 2008
  13. ^ Ibrahimovic set to take legal action to escape from Juve - The independent retrieved on December 7 2008
  14. ^ "ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC SIGNS FOR INTER". Internazionale. 2006-08-10. http://www.inter.it/aas/news/reader?L=en&N=23553. Retrieved 2009-07-26.
  15. ^ "Agreement with F.C. Internazionale S.p.A.". Juventus. 2006-08-10. http://www.juventus.com/site/filesite/finance/comunicatipricesensitive/10_ago_2006_eng.pdf. Retrieved 2009-07-26.
  16. ^ "IBRAHIMOVIC: "INTER, MY TEAM AS A BOY"". Internazionale. 2006-08-10. http://www.inter.it/aas/news/reader?L=en&N=23561. Retrieved 2009-07-26.
  17. ^ "Ibrahimovic: "We're still top"". Internazionale. 2008-10-26. http://www.inter.it/aas/news/reader?L=en&N=30127. Retrieved 2009-07-26.
  18. ^ Rory Smith (2009-02-06). "Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Kaka pip Premier League stars in football wages list". Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/4537364/Zlatan-Ibrahimovic-and-Kaka-pip-Premier-League-stars-in-football-wages-list.html. Retrieved 2009-07-26.
  19. ^ "Allsvenskan lockar inte Zlatan" (in Swedish). Aftonbladet.se. 2008-11-16. http://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/fotboll/allsvenskan/article3785909.ab. Retrieved 2008-11-17.
  20. ^ "Laporta announces agreement in principle with Inter". FC Barcelona. 2009-07-17. http://www.fcbarcelona.com/web/english/noticies/futbol/temporada09-10/07/n090717105959.html. Retrieved 2009-07-23.
  21. ^ "USA 09: Ibra returns to Europe". Internazionale. 2009-07-23. http://www.inter.it/aas/news/reader?L=en&N=31787. Retrieved 2009-07-26.
  22. ^ "Eto’o on brink of Inter swap". PA. FIFA.com. 2009-07-23. http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=1083721.html. Retrieved 2009-07-26.
  23. ^ "Ibra agrees terms with Barça". PA. FIFA.com. 2009-07-24. http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=1084004.html. Retrieved 2009-07-26.
  24. ^ "Ibrahimovic to take medical on Monday". FC Barcelona. http://www.fcbarcelona.com/web/english/noticies/futbol/temporada09-10/07/n090725107738.html. Retrieved 2009-07-25.
  25. ^ "Camp Nou gives Ibrahimovic a hero’s welcome". FC Barcelona. 2009-07-27. http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/english/noticies/destacades/n090727107762.html. Retrieved 2009-07-29.
  26. ^ a b c d FC Barcelona (2009-07-27). "Ibrahimovic signs five-year contract". Press release. http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/english/noticies/futbol/temporada09-10/07/n090727107758.html. Retrieved 2009-07-27.
  27. ^ "FINISHED Hleb Joins Stuttgart". Goal.com. http://goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2009/07/30/1412282/official-vfb-stuttgart-loan-aliaksandr-hleb-from-barcelona. Retrieved 2009-07-30.
  28. ^ "Secret bonus for Ibrahimovic". FC Barcelona News. http://www.fcbarcelonanews.com/secret-bonus-for-ibrahimovic/. Retrieved 2009-08-03.
  29. ^ "Ibrahimovic opperation successful". FC Barcelona. http://www.fcbarcelona.com/web/english/noticies/futbol/temporada09-10/07/n090728107769.html. Retrieved 2009-07-28.
  30. ^ "Ibrahimovic trains with the squad". FC Barcelona. http://www.fcbarcelona.com/web/english/noticies/futbol/temporada09-10/08/n090812106154.html. Retrieved 2009-08-12.
  31. ^ "Croatia: We wanted Zlatan aswell". aftonbladet.se. http://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/fotbollsbladet/landslagsfotboll/vmkval2006/article312754.ab. Retrieved 18 august 2009.
  32. ^ "Ibrahimović agrees to return to Sweden side". ESPNsoccernet. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=411884&campaign=rss&source=soccernet&cc=5739. Retrieved 2 March 2007.
  33. ^ "Ibra: “I’ll become an even better player”". FC Barcelona. http://www.fcbarcelona.com/web/english/noticies/futbol/temporada09-10/07/n090728107771.html. Retrieved 2009-07-28.
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