Zlatan Ibrahimović kod Slavena Bilića | Drugi dio | Neuspjeh prvaka #14

Interview with Zlatan Ibrahimović

This episode is an interview rather than a single sports event, so the subtitles contain no match-clock times or video timestamps. Ibrahimović reflects on the experiences and people that shaped his career, recalling several match moments along the way.

Confidence and resilience

Ibrahimović says that behind his public image of toughness, he is sensitive and slow to let people into his life. He credits his self-belief—and the motivation he drew from people doubting him—with helping him persist. As a teenager, after a teacher told him he would never amount to anything, he vowed to become a professional footballer in Italy and return to teach Italian.

Moving from Malmö to Ajax

At 20, Ibrahimović arrived at Ajax with little experience of living independently and faced pressure to justify a record transfer fee. He recalls running out of money before his first salary and staying with teammate Maxwell, sleeping on a mattress on the floor.

At an early Amsterdam tournament, he says he performed impressively against Milan in front of about 45,000 spectators. In another match—he is unsure whether it was against Arsenal or Manchester United—he made a notable move and scored. His strong start brought comparisons to Marco van Basten, but expectations rose before he had settled in.

A difficult start and a turning point at Ajax

Once the initial adrenaline faded, Ibrahimović struggled for form and playing time under coach Co Adriaanse. He felt isolated, particularly because the coach rarely spoke with him, and says he even called Malmö asking to return.

After Adriaanse was dismissed, Ronald Koeman took over. Ibrahimović’s turning point came in the Dutch Cup final: brought on for the last five to ten minutes, he scored the golden goal in extra time. He says that goal changed his situation and helped restore his confidence.

Capello’s training at Juventus

Ibrahimović describes arriving at Juventus and finding himself among established stars such as Gianluigi Buffon, Alessandro Del Piero, David Trezeguet, Lilian Thuram, and Pavel Nedvěd. Fabio Capello set out to change his Ajax habits and make him more decisive in front of goal.

For months, Ibrahimović practised finishing repeatedly—often taking 50 to 70 shots—and studied clips of Van Basten’s goals. He says this work helped turn him into a more aggressive, prolific striker. He also recalls learning Juventus’s win-first culture from director Luciano Moggi and says Patrick Vieira pushed him to work harder in training.

Mino Raiola and career decisions

Ibrahimović recounts how he initially distrusted agents, then sought Raiola’s help after realizing his Ajax contract was poor. Raiola challenged him over his modest scoring record, took away his Porsche and watches, and pushed him to train harder. Ibrahimović says Raiola became a close friend and a major influence on his career.

After Juventus became embroiled in the Moggi affair, Ibrahimović chose not to play in Serie B, arguing that he needed to continue competing at the highest level.

Inter and the importance of winning

Ibrahimović chose Inter over Milan because Inter had not won the league for 17 years and offered a greater chance to make a lasting impact. He says the team won the league in each of his three seasons there, and that he became the league’s top scorer in his third season under José Mourinho.

He recalls asking president Massimo Moratti not to give the players bonuses just for winning a derby. He wanted the team’s hunger to remain focused on winning trophies across the full season.

Coaches and playing alongside other stars

Ibrahimović describes Mourinho as a modern, highly motivating coach who prepared players mentally and tactically. He praises Pep Guardiola’s detailed systems and solutions, despite their personal difficulties, and portrays Carlo Ancelotti as an unusually warm manager who kept players comfortable even when they were not selected.

He also reflects on competition among strikers, saying he valued creating chances for teammates as much as scoring himself.

Presenters and sources

• Host: Slaven Bilić
• Guest and primary source: Zlatan Ibrahimović
• Program: Neuspjeh prvaka