Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the public persona, is on a level unlike anybody else. For more evidence, watch this short interview with BT Sport below, in which the mercurial Swede classifies himself as a lion, and says that he doesn’t compare himself to other strikers, because “lions, they don’t compare themselves with humans.”
“If you come up by the lions, you should expect to get attacked by the lions, it’s normal. If you’re a cat, you will run away, but if you’re a lion, you will stay among the other lions,” Ibrahimovic said.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8bQgQZDCgk
Again perhaps Zlatan Ibrahimovic the private person in his private life is very different from the Zlatan Ibrahimovic we see when the cameras and recorders are on. The wild outrageous braggadocio he incessantly espouses is obviously, at least partially somewhat of an act.
Perhaps Ibrahimovic is a naturally born thespian, and if so, maybe that should be his next gig after football a la United legend, the King Eric Cantona.
“Eric is Eric, Zlatan is Zlatan, so I come with a different package, I come with what I’m able to do,” Ibrahimovic said in an interview with BT Sport.
“People will remember him for the rest of their lives for what he did here, people will remember me for what I did.
“The only thing he did that I haven’t done – yet – is acting. I’m a little bit curious also to be an actor,” Ibrahimovic said towards the conclusion of the session.
“Something like Bourne Identity, something like that, a secret agent. The new James Bond – why not?!”
Sp perhaps that’s what next for Zlatan once his United career is over? He could be the next 007?
Or maybe he has one more football stop left in him? Back in November the question was posed- could he play for an American side once his Red Devils time is through? We bring this up because his answer just perfectly accompanies what he had to say in this interview.
“It’s a huge option for me,” Ibrahimovic said. “For the football and everything else. I can see myself conquering the U.S. as I have with Europe.”
“Lots of people stay in one place throughout their career, but I’ve travelled around like Napoleon, and conquered every new country where I’ve sat foot. So perhaps I should do what Napoleon didn’t and cross the Atlantic and conquer the States as well.”
Love the reference to Napoleon Bonaparte there! Maybe the allusion to France’s 19th century Emperor-King was a nod to his celebrated days with Paris Saint Germain. Ibra with the grounded humility, as always, as expected, as he discusses his future plans.
Ibrahimovic joined the Red Devils on a free transfer this summer and his current deal is only for one season. If he doesn’t reach an agreement to stay another year, he would be free to make another move in the summer. Perhaps he is ready to go that route- the “European star over age 35 crosses the pond to dominate MLS” routine? Ibrahimovic will be 36 soon.
Watch this space.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times and NBC Chicago.com, contributes to Chicago Tribune.com, Bold, WGN CLTV and KOZN.
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