How Good Was Zlatan Ibrahimović Before Turning 30?

"There's only one Zlatan"
Zlatan Ibrahimović has been going strong for over two decades and seems to only get better with age. An astounding fact about his career is that he has scored more goals since after turning 30 than before reaching the 3 decade mark.
This got me thinking. How good was he in his twenties? Let's find out.
Transcript and sources: footballiconic.com/how-good-w...
Twitter: / theofficial_fi
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Background music:
Song 1: • (FREE FOR PROFIT) chil... (Prod Pink)
Song 2: • Paranoia - Alt Rock/Tr... (Prod Riddiman)
0:00 - Introduction
01:36 - How did Zlatan Become Zlatan?
03:55 - How Good Was Zlatan in his youth?
07:38 - When Zlatan became a goal machine
11:05 - Zlatan vs Barcelona
12:50 - Back to his best
Producer: Tinashe Chipako
-----------------------
This video is intended for entertainment, commentary and educational purposes.
*Copyright Disclaimer: allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. No copyright infringement intended. ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS

[@lindseyormsbee]

Zlatan is legendary! When LeBron sent him a jersey welcoming him to LA he autographed it and sent it back. What. A. Legend!

[@aszhara2900]

Or his "You're welcome" in his goodbye tweet when he left LA, dude is such a badass lmao

[@jphilly9494]

Ibra was in LA before Lebron. It was when zlatan was leaving. The best

[@lindseyormsbee]

@@jphilly9494 yep, you're right! Had it backwards. Still legendary.

[@therealpvc2541]

and then Zlatan called out LeChina for delving into politics instead of playing basketball

[@solis2528]

Legendary is Zlatan

[@Dkmo94]

The fact you can literally split his career in two and have legendary numbers and league wins on either side shows how legendary this man is at football

[@FootballIconic]

True. I was originally going to do his full career up until now but the video would've been like 35 minutes 🤣

[@forev3r506]

@@FootballIconic Can you do a short one about his career after turning 30 ? It's a pleasure watching your videos, especially about Zlatan:))

[@sevenatenine_7]

this man has the spirit

[@snoopdiss2300]

Same goes for Ronaldo... Very Rare stuff

[@sevenatenine_7]

@@snoopdiss2300 hmm more for messi tho

[@parikshitgarhwal8642]

Man literally the ONLY thing missing in his resume is a UCL, I don’t even blame him for no international trophies.

[@JuraKez]

he won fifa club world cup and europa league. so he got international trophies

[@jay-da-b9449]

@@JuraKez i think he meant with sweden

[@JuraKez]

@@jay-da-b9449 yeah. But he had an amazing sweden career. Scoring 6 goals at the euros. Top3 all time euro scorer. With that sweden team. Scored against italy, spain, france

[@parikshitgarhwal8642]

@@JuraKez nah mate like Jay said, I meant with his country and I don’t even blame him for it due to the reasons you aptly stated.

[@parikshitgarhwal8642]

@Yusuf Best who tf is comparing him to maradona lmao

[@jackdaniel2457]

His consistency and longevity along with how he's proved himself at multiple top clubs cement him as a legend for me.

[@itazloc2975]

True

[@itazloc2975]

He's the king

[@sauravdahal208]

True to think he is just 2 years younger than Ronaldinho and older than van persie and is still going strong

[@hasselett]

He's one of the greats. Not just a legend.

[@itazloc2975]

@@hasselett true

[@odysseas573]

4th of October, 2031: How Good Was Zlatan Ibrahimović Before Turning 50?

[@FootballIconic]

🤣

[@thsimpsonsguy]

"He has actually scored more goals after turning 50 than before"

[@solodolo_mma3971]

If anyone could do it, it’s definitely Zlatan.

[@jr5034]

Haaland idolizes him and Ronaldo for a reason who would idolize a disabled shorty

[@SamMCFC]

Zlatan doesn't get older Older gets Zlatan

[@creepinasicrawl]

The dude is the Chuck Norris of football. I literally seen him score a goal from hitting the ball with a round house kick. Simply amazing lol

[@FootballIconic]

Haha😂 love the comparison

[@dominictoretto9645]

He used to do taekwondo and literally shoots the ball like he is breaking those boards

[@grotesqburlesk]

also, Frank Zappa of football

[@TheHurricaneYeah]

Zlatan doesn't kick the ball, the ball is trying to fly away from him out of fear.

[@broskigang3436]

Zlatan the kinda person to tell the teacher dat the bell doesn't dismiss her He does

[@FootballIconic]

Sounds like Zlatan 😂

[@Kingofkings987]

Zlatan is actually immortal

[@FootballIconic]

He must be at this point!

[@itazloc2975]

Yea

[@dopeboi5736]

No immortal is zlatan

[@williepchamp3060]

Him and Buffon

[@fishyfish6510]

Everyone goes to MLS to retire except Zlatan!

[@ayandey137]

He went to revive

[@soltistv1166]

It was rehab camp after knee surgery.

[@purpleheart69420]

actually he went there bc he thought it was over and he was gonna retire but then he did so good he decided it wasnt time yet

[@shamsudeenma1928]

Zlatan doesn't go to MLS. MLS goes to Zlatan Sorry couldn't resist😅

[@MrFFHN]

Dude just went there for a vacation XD

[@jatin2616]

NEVER compare players based on stats. Zlatan at Juventus and Inter was absolutely magical. Imagine a guy with the technique of Van Basten and the playmaking of Zidane.

[@ricardofazenda965]

Agreed. Hes prime in my opinion. Too bad it was a short passage..

[@Mad_Intalect]

The skills, just magical, at Ajax as well, I leaned so many dribbling moves from Zlatan and Ronaldinho.

[@Sauron2609]

@@ricardofazenda965 His prime was at Inter imo

[@suleyman8696]

@@ricardofazenda965 ac milan 2010-2012

[@fernandofebrian2128]

he was prime all time the prince attitude n beast mentality is on his blood

[@mrmeeseeks2534]

Even after 30,still an amazing player. In the 15/16 season (despite being 33/34) scored 50 goals and scored 28 with Man U next year. His longevity is phenomenal

[@omer.yemeni4371]

Did i just read that correctly? Not even suarez nor Lewa have scored 50 in a season whilst being 34! if you dont agree hes the 3rd best of this generation your a moron

[@mrmeeseeks2534]

@@omer.yemeni4371 ikr he’s litterarly proved himself in every top flight league (except for Germany) but I’m pretty sure he would do well there

[@jackdaniel2457]

@Mr Meeseeks I wish that zlatan left for Bayern. A strike force of him and lewandowski would be an incredible

[@nikosofidemporas]

@@mrmeeseeks2534 He did not prove that much in Spain and UK though. He was alright.

[@mrmeeseeks2534]

@@nikosofidemporas in the uk he scored 28 goals tho???

[@khurgar8120]

Zlatan is a role playing character. He does not get old, he levels up.

[@jr5034]

like a dragon ball character, getting better and hitting your peak everytime you grow old

[@travis6764]

As a. Milan fan, this man means everything. He brought us back to competing and helped young players realize there is glory they need to achieve. Legend

[@notubecap2245]

2:02 if anyone is wondering what that text say in his tough neighborhood that he grew up on it says. ” You can take a boy out of Rosengård but you can’t take Rosengård out of a boy ” which pretty much sums up why Ibra is the way he is.

[@andjelkozlotvor]

You can take out of Balkans but you can’t take Balkans out of you.

[@klo4880]

@@andjelkozlotvor ..is something Zlatan has never said.

[@ameenmuhammed1796]

The fact that he played against great defenders like maldini,cafu,stam,etc and still plays now!

[@pekinobo]

And Maldini said that Zlatan was the best forward he ever met.

[@jr5034]

and he kicked materazzi and got away with it, no one ca do that

[@relentero8547]

@@pekinobo no he said R9 was, he just admired Zlatan.

[@pekinobo]

@@relentero8547 Pretty sure it was Zlatan he ment. But I might be wrong. I can´t find any reliable source to my claim though.

[@relentero8547]

@@pekinobo I read a source where he named R9 and Maradona as the best, and he said Maradona was good but R9 was a nightmare

[@nathanarcher2221]

Literally one of the greatest footballers ever. Legend of the game

[@FootballIconic]

100%

[@lxfj2128]

One of the greatest footballers ever 100 %not. Very strong claim he’s a legend but one of the greatest ever nope

[@nintendo1869]

Not even top 50

[@nathanarcher2221]

@@lxfj2128 literally what else does he have to prove he is literally one of the highest scores in history

[@ogwu6732]

@@nintendo1869 def top 20

[@thegreatcalvinio]

"I could have signed Ronaldo, C. Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Messi, Zlatan, Suarez, Lewandowski, and Rooney..." -Arsene Wenger

[@FootballIconic]

Some people call that a great transfer window. Wenger calls it Tuesday

[@NahianHaider]

@@FootballIconic LOL

[@justanobody1288]

"Zlatan doesn't do auditions"

[@abidurrahman4641]

@Yusuf Best yh but nothing compared to those options lol

[@puppan100]

The idea of zlatan being a flop at Barcelona is a damn myth contributing to 24 goals in 29 games is a great first season.

[@denzel_thegreat1681]

Before seria a was alot more defensive 25 goals during that time might as well be counted as 40

[@FootballIconic]

Good point!

[@Mad_Intalect]

That's why Sheva is a beast! Underrated by people that didn't/don't follow Serie A.

[@teamrainbow7674]

If Pep would’ve been able to effectively work Zlatan into that Barca side, I think he would’ve been absolutely insane there

[@bewoklearning9039]

He did still has the record of the only player to score in 5 consecutive la liga games.. at some point in his early barca career he eclips messi in goalscoring

[@MrFalken91]

well it was the change of having messi in the middle and then moving zlatan away and treating him like a winger or a crouch player. Pep was a great system coach at the time, obviously not good enough to handle a guy that didint fit into his preferred system.

[@puppan100]

Contributing to 24 goals in 29 games is actually great, especially when it's your first season in new league, so I'd say on pitch there was never that big of a problem. But they didn't match at all on a personal level.

[@shikhargovil9579]

i think more than on pitch, pep had problems with zlatan off pitch. he did'nt really liked his attitude towards team.

[@jr5034]

who do you think pep hates more zlatan or yaya toure

[@therealpvc2541]

He played his best football at Inter. He was so complete. He could dribble for days with his glittery feet and he became a proper prolific goal scorer.

[@Weeela]

100%. And his passes. The vision!

[@mohems7669]

defo gotta make a “how good was ibra after turning 30,” that would be a banger

[@DivineLogos]

I think the martial arts also helped his joints, ligaments and tendons for longevity. Zlatan best at volleys ever.

[@chyu89]

FIFA needs to take note on career mode. Players rating doesnt drop after 29 years old.

[@hawk7684]

Yeah

[@jr5034]

should not drop for Zlatan

[@silvesta5027]

Yeah and it’s not just Zlatan either! I feel like footballers in general have better longevity nowadays. More and more players are adapting their game and are still operating at the top level in their 30s. Ronaldo, Fernandinho, Modric, Kroos, Benzema, Messi, etc. Benzema’s performance this year especially, I can’t believe the guy is 34 now

[@taha5h494]

Zlatan is my favorite player and i love everything about him. His attitude to do nothing but win plus his footballing talent makes this man a footballing legend. I look forward to another season of the player that God sent to play football

[@FootballIconic]

A legend is the game!

[@notprotho7730]

my favorite player is messi but yup ur right

[@n3r4zzurr0_]

Zlatan is a scientist. He fused football with martial arts! One of a kind!

[@resilientlemon1302]

Almost like Rio Ferdinand the artist t that fused ballet with football.

[@thatisme3thatisme38]

yeah he tends to be very rough with other players. not sure that is a good thing

[@klo4880]

@@thatisme3thatisme38 pretty sure he meant his flexibility with his kicks

[@bosanceros0172]

I freaking started watching this guy at Ajax when i was 13 years old...i'm 34 now and he's still going at it. Un-be-lieveable!

[@mumandubula1788]

So many hairstyles Ibra, man is a baller, undoubtedly one of the greatest of all time.

[@bayokoebi9351]

By choice and personal reasons Zlatan Ibrahimovic is and will remain my best football player in the history of football. Zlatan the GOAT!!!

[@ROCKSTAR3291]

Zlatan was my dream striker in 2005, I really wanted Ferguson to bring him to United. I'm glad that he came to England to play for United and won something.

[@Terminator6364]

"Won something" English reserve teams cup and the European losers cup.

[@pruney84]

On the subject of Capello - Ibra relationship: I remember Fabio Capello, during a show on Sky Italia, talked about the first times Ibra was training with Juventus Capello met Raiola who asked him "my guy is already crashing nets for your team, isn't he?" To which Capello answered "for now, the only things that he is crashing, are the windshields of the cars in the parking lot, he just can't hit the ball!" He then proceeded to assign Zlatan to a specific training method in order to improve his striking ability and, well, the rest is history

[@aboyabo7052]

Now that is a masterpiece

[@superslayerguy]

This is the Football Iconic video we all needed

[@baraaamir7891]

I think he could be considered one of the GOAT due to his longevity and consistency across all top leagues, which can't be said for other players, literally this man went to the premier league aged 35 and still scored 28 goals in a season! His iq only increased with age

[@callumpolaa.k.adjvinylrise2543]

who cares if zlatan has not got a champions league trophy in his name zlatan will forever be a legend of football *"there's only one zlatan"*

[@omer.yemeni4371]

holding a players greatness accountable for not winning the ucl despite winning the league every season and being one of the only two players to score in every minute of the game is very moronic.

[@callumpolaa.k.adjvinylrise2543]

@@omer.yemeni4371 at least zlatan has a europa league winners medal

[@edmonddantes563]

We all know Umtiti is better then Messi because he won a World Cup

[@callumpolaa.k.adjvinylrise2543]

@@edmonddantes563 but has he won a champions league? no dont think so

[@bdubs4749]

He is a lion cant wait to see another video like this when he turns 50

[@martingillver8367]

I'm swedish myself and this video was spot on, great research! Thanks.

[@Mistermarcus84]

You earned a sub on that video! Great video, looking forward to 30+ Zlatan video!

[@tonymverah8059]

Absolutely love Zlatan...He talks first then backs it up in the field. Would really love to watch a video of one midfield maestro called Juan Carlos Valeron during his time at Deportivo La Coruna, Gaizka Mendieta at his prime in Valencia, Stephan Effenberg at his Bayern time, Yildiray Bastuk at his prime in Leverkusen. I'd really really love one video for any of those. Much love to your channel bro

[@herzomatei492]

Football Icon, I respect Ibra a lot. He really is a football icon for me and for these period I grew up watching football. I like the way you presented this part of his career (one of the best careers 'till 30yo of the last many years) but I've jut turned on notifications waiting for the second part telling the story of "the second part of his career" after turning 30. Great job highlighting so many players whom were a bit underrated especially during Ronaldo & Messi era but not only! Keep it going and keep us into your chanel doing your thing!

[@DREAMWORKERSKY]

great informative video on a legend of the game!

[@williammalmsten7012]

The best football content on the platform. This channel deserves so many more subscribers.

[@yuranabdul7081]

Waiting for you to do vides on some certains Braziliians players. Romario, rivaldo, ronaldinho and many othersBut love the content keeo it up

[@FootballIconic]

They're coming in time!

[@denzel_thegreat1681]

@@FootballIconic I'm surprised u didn't talk about how defensive seria a was so under 20 goals was normal for all top attackers there

[@colindixon9916]

Where the hell is Englands best striker???? How long b4 we see super Al???

[@Andre-tu3km]

Your videos are probably the best made footie vids out there mate, great use of tone and pacing whist your commentary is always engaging and moving the narrative forward. Good stuff.

[@simonifatovic401]

One of the best players to ever been in history of football without a doubt, a CL win or two would definitely not be wrong.

[@andreatommasi3287]

Since i discovered your channel months ago it immediately became my favourite sports channel! Your videos are informative but listening to them I have a feeling of peace as well. You can easily listen to them as a podcast and perhaps you could turn them into that format as well (on Spotify for instance). Cheers !

[@FootballIconic]

Haha thanks so much man. We never know what the future holds! Appreciate it!

[@MrGrido0]

Great video as always! Keep up, your content is awesome!

[@MrKrewie]

This man is a warrior, i can't believe he's still going strong

[@hjk757]

I'm glad I found your channel brov .. Great content !

[@peterpetersen1890]

Hey man! Not related to this video but keep it up with your videos. I can imagine how much work it is and I hope you enjoy seeing your channel growing so much. The way you put videos together in pictures and words shows you got a talent for the media industry. More and more People from all over this planet appreciate your work, keep it coming!

[@kxder69]

How is this channel still not a 100k i have been watching for like 4-5 months and I love this channel it need more recognition

[@FootballIconic]

Thanks man! Hopefully one day!

[@Neuro_6]

Amazing video sir 👏🏻👏🏻

[@ptsitius]

great video! Zlatan is one of a kind

[@adeeness]

My favourite football channel with yet another banger👏👏👏

[@JimmyOlsson]

Excellent video!

[@SwoleakhulTheBlind]

An absolute legend of the sport. The amount of crazy otherworldly goals this guy scored is insane. Also going for a stint in the US and then coming back to europe and still playing at the top is honestly nuts.

[@alexiroussos5060]

I love this channel. Whoever you are football iconic your gonna be big

[@FootballIconic]

Cheers Alexi! Appreciate that!

[@AndreMilla]

This is a fun concept for a video. Nice work brotha 🍻

[@quavde]

Well done. Congrats

[@oatmilkshake4193]

Can’t wait to see him back in the champions league with AC Milan 👀

[@justlooking1087]

I’ve always loved Ibra, him and R9 were always my favourite players as a kid. You can tell by the European teams that I supported growing up (Ajax, Juve and Real).

[@darnious]

He's one of the best youngster right now in Football, he can be better

[@AegonTheGolden]

Thank you for giving me such an immense history of soccer. As a newbie in 2022 you have helped me so much, thanks!

[@mostafamansour2495]

Love your vids bro keep it up!❤❤

[@FootballIconic]

Thanks, brother!

[@highghosted1196]

Awesome vid you are underrated .

[@yute-hube779]

He's one of a handful of very rare elite players, for sure. When we had him at Man United, it was only for a few years but holy chit what a player. Just amazing. For a start he was intimidating, every player was scared of him, he just had that aura about him that tells you not to get on the wrong side of him, but he also had a ridiculous amount of talent at the same time. He's done stuff only he could or would do like the overhead kick from miles out for Sweden against England.

[@Taco-jitsu]

Well made video.

[@TimmacTR]

Already legendary

[@saivachanpatil4469]

Pls create another vedio of his 30s🔥🔥 great work

[@narrow3601]

hey man I’m not even kidding this is a very well made video! Also I have suggestion for your next video in this series can you make a “How good was Klaas Jan Huntelaar really

[@perugino25]

I saw him playing several years ago and he was just fantastic!!!!

[@theMad_Artist]

His longevity is absolutely insane... he started playing before I was even born

[@BatkoNashBandera774]

Correction::: He started playng before he was even born ;)

[@azimyamani5913]

underrated youtuber

[@amanbereket6451]

When I was a kid, Many PlayStation 2 game players use InterMilan to have Ibrahimovic and Adriano in their team.

[@User0173]

Zlatan is a legend 🔥🔥

[@GrappleGurus]

Nice video

[@seanmurdock2279]

I always believed he is one of the best goal scorers of not the best type of goals he scored though out his career were just amazing. And great video 👍🏾

[@MM-jc7uv]

I would honestly argue that he was most talented at Inter Milan. That’s when he was still a wizard on the ball and one of the best dribblers in the world at that time

[@karanmalhotra2915]

great vid again

[@FootballIconic]

Cheer!

[@tankisomakhetha2836]

Tinashe, absolutely love your vids

[@FootballIconic]

Yo man! Always see your comments! Thanks, really appreciate that!

[@notOL01]

These videos keep me sane at work 😂

[@FootballIconic]

Haha glad to hear!

[@stevestevenson6816]

Zlatan is a football god. If he hadn't injured his knee, United might very well have added title 21 under The Special One.

[@5thdawg917]

Him & Buffon are the last 2 players from the 90s.. or the 20th century when their careers began playing in the top flight divisions

[@angelow2562]

Football ⚽️ needed Zlatan 🦁 💯

[@lancelotdulacful]

Most impressive period for his career was his start in the Seria A with Juve. That was a revelation. Mind-blowing how underrated he remained even up throughout his time at Inter.

[@gogorecords89]

Zlatan since his 30 played in Ajax, Juventus, Inter, Barcelona Milan. With opponents all the greatest Italian defenders until 2012 and with teamates like Del Piero, Trezeguet, Adriano, Messi, Henry, Inzaghi who also fight for the striker position. Then he went to the French league where the level was to low for him (Montpellier was champion in France 2011!). In France his numbers were even better, played there for 5 seasons. Zlatan was a beast before 30 and a legend after 30!

[@user-fg8ou1ec1f]

Mido had a fight with him in Ajax ..they were friends , almost at same age and both were tall and strong with big ego , mido also made a great career playing in rome , tottenham and marsille

[@migscapo]

As a Barca fan that Clasico goal and the CL goal v Arsenal alone made me always view his time as a success

[@hridayfcb]

6:12 Everywhere I go I see his face :( - Barca Fan

[@Milos4SBC]

Literally one of the best strikers ever

[@puppan100]

Talk about an iconic player... Wow.

[@krishnapatil4204]

Most underrated footballer in history 😔😔

[@colinz783]

He's a young talent still chill

[@norfolkandchance5411]

Cool channel man ... Subscribed ... 🙂

[@FootballIconic]

Cheers!!

[@billyjean5934]

like a fine wine, Zlatan was never meant to peak too early!

[@martinmbome3308]

this man scored the most spectaculars goals in football history period

[@highlightertwinklover9959]

Zlatan is just that guy. He says he's the best because he knows he's the best and if we deny his greatness, his career would speak otherwise.

[@muhammedgamal5871]

I like any content about zlatan actually, his career and personality are markable

[@codymyster10]

Maybe a Shunsuke Nakamura video? The forgotten gem of Japan that defined the logics and became one of the last, if not the last, SPL player to be nominated for a Ballon'd Or given his performances at Celtic in the 06/07 season.

[@Jale299]

subscribed

[@lurtzy_]

Incredible youngster, would really like to see him in his prime in maybe 5-10 years 👍

[@holamoco]

Love Zlatan Ibrahimovic ❤