The jewel in Sweden's crown, Zlatan Ibrahimović is a forward of tremendous ingenuity and skill. The capricious 26-year-old has not always enjoyed the steadiest of relationships with the Swedish coaching staff but his extravagant talent, as witnessed repeatedly in Italy's Serie A over the past four years, ensures him star billing at UEFA EURO 2008™.
Born in Malmo of Bosnia-Herzegovnian parentage, he fired Malmö FF to promotion with 12 goals in 2000 at the age of 18.
A reputation as a special talent earned him a €7.8m Swedish-record transfer to AFC Ajax; won the domestic double in his first season, scoring the golden-goal winner in the Dutch Cup final v FC Utrecht.
Two goals on his UEFA Champions League debut versus Olympique Lyonnais and 13 in successive Eredivisie campaigns, the second of them bringing another Dutch title.
Followed a disappointing 2002 FIFA World Cup with an impressive UEFA EURO 2004â„¢, scoring two goals including an improvised late equaliser against Italy.
Moved to Serie A after the tournament, joining Juventus. Won two titles but both were taken away due to the club's fraud scandal.
Moved to FC Internazionale Milano after 2006 World Cup; back-to-back titles – injured for last two months of 2007/08 campaign but returned on final day to score twice and clinch championship.
Won the 2007 Guldbollen as Swedish Footballer of the Year.
Club History 1999-2001 Malmö (SWE) - 40 matches - 16 goals
2001-2004 Ajax (NED) - 74 matches - 35 goals
2004-2006 Juventus (ITA)- 70 matches - 23 goals
2006/2007 Inter Milan (ITA) - 24 matches - 15 goals
2007/2008 Inter Milan (ITA) - 33 matches - 22 goals