In a recent interview, Zlatan Ibrahimovic shared insights about the club he dreamed of playing for during his illustrious 24-year career, only to have “fate intervene.”
Few players can match Ibrahimovic’s remarkable career. The Swedish icon represented top clubs including Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, PSG, and Manchester United, before concluding his successful journey with AC Milan.
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At the club level, Ibrahimovic’s record is staggering, with 496 goals in 827 matches, including 48 goals in the Champions League, a trophy that always escaped his grasp. ..Continue Reading
Though he secured numerous league titles in France, Spain, and Italy, Europe’s premier club competition always remained just out of reach.
This might have been different had he signed with Bundesliga powerhouse Bayern Munich, who claimed the Champions League titles in 2013 and 2020.
During his interview with Sports Illustrated, Ibrahimovic was asked about the possibility of a move to Germany ever being in his plans.
“Football in Germany is outstanding,” he said. “I love the stadiums there because they are always sold out.
“Playing for a club like Bayern Munich would certainly not have been bad, just because of the club’s history and players. For me, Bayern is one of the five biggest clubs in the world. I admire German football and the national team very much.
“They couldn’t have afforded me (laughs ). But no, to be honest, there was never an opportunity to move there. It would have been nice – but fate had other plans for me.”
The 43-year-old, who is currently a senior advisor at AC Milan, was asked if he sees a future in coaching.
“I don’t want to continue to be a coach because it’s too much work for me,” he said.
“You have to cover so many areas, find ideas and solutions, prepare for and follow up on games, coach. You work day and night. A year as a coach would feel like ten years to me. So that doesn’t appeal to me.”
Ibrahimovic was also asked to give his take on the idea that football has become less entertaining because of modern tactics.
“Many coaches come with a philosophy and a style of play, and then the individual player becomes insignificant because everyone is forced into a tactic or system,” he said.
“Of course, a coach’s philosophies are important and you need him to manage the team. But I believe that the individual player is the most important part of the team. Because he goes out on the field and makes the difference. And in general, I don’t think football is getting boring.
“In fact, I have the feeling that it continues to grow. You just have to be smart and not close yourself off to new developments.”
