With multiple league titles to his name from around the top European leagues, Zlatan Ibrahimovic will bring his talents to Manchester United next season.
The 34-year-old has picked up accolades, both individual and collective, in the Netherlands, Italy, Spain and France, and is now eyeing further success having secured a reunion with former boss Jose Mourinho.
Despite his records and achievements, the Swedish international continues to divide opinion, both in terms of his ability on the pitch and his persona off it.
However, his move to Old Trafford now gives him an opportunity to silence the last group of detractors, as he looks to add a Premier League title to his vast collection of trophies, which currently stands at 28 in total.
It’s no coincidence that Ibrahimovic has won wherever he has gone. Some will want to play down his achievements, but the influential Swede brings an x-factor to whichever team he plays for, and his goals, creativity and general presence can turn any team into a contender.
Fresh from scoring a staggering 50 goals in 51 appearances in all competitions last season, the veteran forward could have easily chosen an easier and more lucrative move in the latter stages of his career. Instead, he’s embraced what is likely to be the biggest challenge that he could of faced.
As for his personality off the pitch, love him or loathe him, he’s a dream for the media with his unforgettable quotes and while his confidence can often be misinterpreted as arrogance, there really should be nothing wrong with believing that you’re the best. If you don’t strive to be the best, why play?
In that regard, Ibrahimovic has the charisma off the pitch to follow in the footsteps of United legends before him, most notably Eric Cantona, with whom he has already been compared with following confirmation of his move to Old Trafford.
United have a rich history of star individuals that excited the club’s faithful supporters over the years, from George Best to Cristiano Ronaldo and the many special talents in between, the club expects nothing but the best and entertaining, attacking football.
Furthermore, Ibrahimovic’s flair and individual brilliance on the field is matched with an ego off it, and ultimately, many of the greatest ever sportsmen and women have to marry those two together and take the stick for being that little bit different.
“I came like a king, I left like a legend,” he announced when confirming his exit from Paris Saint-Germain last month. Just the latest in a long list of brilliant soundbites, Ibrahimovic will be hoping to have a similar effect in Manchester, and there should be few who doubt him.
Those who do, simply enjoy the journey and acknowledge him for what he is, one of the top players in world football. His professionalism and relentless desire to be the best and win trophies for almost two decades deserve it alone.
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