It was at the beginning of the 2016-17 season, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic about to join Manchester United that questions about his age began to surface. Then 34, many thought that his best years were past him and that he just couldn’t cut it at the top level anymore. Already a legend of the game, many thought the move could tarnish his reputation.
“Age is just a number,” he had remarked. “I’m not worried at all.”
Almost 8 months removed and Zlatan has seemingly conquered the English Premier League. He ended 2016 as the 2nd highest goal scorer across all of Europe’s top leagues, second only to Messi. To put that into context, he beat out heavy-hitters like Suarez, Lewandowski, Aguero, Ronaldo and Higuain. More astonishingly perhaps, none of his competitors are anywhere close to his age.
He has pretty much been one of the first people on the team sheet for Mourinho this season. And he has repaid this trust time and time again with performances that have been a huge part of United’s renaissance this season. Youngsters like Rashford and Martial can look to him for inspiration and learn so much.
Paul Scholes recently spoke about Zlatan and said, “I wasn’t 100 per cent sure myself when a 35-year-old centre-forward comes over, but when you look at him he’s not a 35-year-old really with his physique and the way he looks after himself, he’s still a really fit lad. You’re probably still looking at a 30-year-old really!”
So what is it that enables a 35 year old man to outperform people much younger than him? How can Zlatan Ibrahimovic look years younger than he actually is?
The fact is that Zlatan is a physical specimen of the highest order. He doesn’t drink and is a black belt in taekwondo. He understands that the most important part of fitness is recuperation or recovery after games. He engages in activities like sports massages as a tool to prevent injuries. His longevity in the game is a testament to the man’s belief in himself and his drive to stay on top.
Zlatan also has a personal physiotherapist taking care of him since his time at PSG. Dario Fort works with him individually on a regular basis to ensure that he is always in top form. And while Fort does not sit on United’s bench, he is the best friend that Zlatan always wanted.
Soon after joining United, Zlatan broke the training record for power produced during exercise at United’s Carrington training ground. Where Zlatan has been a general on the pitch, Mourinho has managed his workload superbly. He has been given prolonged rests during the international breaks to help him recover for fatigue and stay sharp for the next game.
The result is that he has already scored 24 goals for United in all competitions this season. With plenty of games still to come, the number is bound to keep increasing. Zlatan just recently scored his first United hat-trick and the 17th hat-trick of his career. He has won silverware wherever he has played and is hoping to add some this season too.
At 35, Zlatan is the hottest striker in England and does not seem to be in the mood of slowing down.