Zlatan Ibrahimović kod Slavena Bilića | Treći dio - Finale | Neuspjeh prvaka #15

Career Turning Points

This is the final part of Slaven Bilić’s interview with Zlatan Ibrahimović. Rather than focusing on one complete match, they look back at key turning points across Ibrahimović’s career. The subtitles provide few exact match times, so none are available to report.

Inter to Barcelona

After winning three consecutive Serie A titles with Inter, Ibrahimović left for Barcelona to test himself in a new league. He said the move was not about earning a higher salary: he wanted a fresh challenge and believed Barcelona’s style of play would push him.

He recalled Inter’s Champions League elimination by Manchester United, discussed as a 2–0 defeat, but said his decision to leave was about seeking change.

Barcelona, 2009–10

Ibrahimović said his first six months at Barcelona went well: he scored goals and had a good relationship with coach Pep Guardiola. He then spent roughly six months out of the team. He felt he was being asked to change who he was, and described arriving at training in a Ferrari and parking it outside Guardiola’s office as a deliberate act of defiance.

Barcelona won the league but lost their Champions League semifinal to Inter. Ibrahimović said José Mourinho’s Inter had predicted they would win the competition.

Milan and PSG

Ibrahimović said Milan restored his enjoyment of football. He became the league’s top scorer and helped the club win the title. He wanted to stay, but Milan sold him and Thiago Silva for financial reasons.

At PSG, he saw himself as part of the project that helped establish the club’s winning mentality and raise its standing.

Manchester United, 2016–17

At 35, Ibrahimović chose the Premier League despite warnings from former teammates that a poor spell could tarnish his reputation. He said he adapted quickly and won three trophies with Manchester United. The season ended with a serious knee injury, suffered with about a month remaining.

Injury and Return

Ibrahimović described damage to his ACL and meniscus as the first major injury of his career. He underwent surgery and returned after about seven months, but said he did not yet feel physically or mentally ready to play at his former level.

He asked Mourinho to keep him on the bench, then moved to the United States to find out whether he could still perform.

LA Galaxy and Milan Return

Ibrahimović scored twice in his first MLS game, gradually regained confidence, and signed for another season. He later returned to Europe, choosing Milan because he believed he could help bring the club back to the top.

The interview does not give a final score or identify a specific match from this Milan spell.

International Career and Honours

Ibrahimović said he chose Sweden and that there was no concrete approach from Croatia or Bosnia and Herzegovina. He suggested Croatia might have had a better chance of winning major tournaments with him, while treating that as speculation.

He cited 34 collective trophies and 12 Swedish Footballer of the Year awards, while noting that he never won the Champions League or the Ballon d’Or. He argued that the Ballon d’Or should recognize individual performance, even though Champions League success can strengthen a player’s case.

Personal Life and Approach

The conversation also covers Ibrahimović’s confidence, Balkan background, family, and approach to parenting. He said his sons must earn what they want, and that he tried to keep them out of his shadow by having them use their mother’s surname when they were younger.

He advises children to try both a team sport and an individual sport. He described football as a way to learn cooperation and taekwondo as a way to develop self-discipline.

Presenters and Source

• Host: Slaven Bilić
• Guest: Zlatan Ibrahimović
• Show/source: Neuspjeh prvaka