The talk of Wednesday’s international friendlies was undoubtedly Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s devastating four goals against England include a quite spectacular 4th goal – an overhead kick from 30 yards out. His performance against Roy Hodgson’s men was nothing short of brilliant as Sweden hosted England for the first time in their new 50,000-seat national stadium, Friends Arena. His fourth goal has to be seen to be believed and has sent social media sites into meltdown as people from across the globe scramble to see it but for fans who know Ibrahimovic well, this is nothing new for the giant striker. Indeed his 3 goal against England was equally brilliant; a low driven free kick from 30 yards out; good enough to win most goal of the day competitions but blown away by the spectacular fourth.
For the 6ft 5 PSG striker, spectacular goals is second nature to him now. You only have to look back through his career and you can see numerous examples of Ibrahimovic’s talent and eye for goal. His performance against France in the last group match of Euro 2012 and his opening goal, am instinctive volley from a cross that put his team on the path to an eventual 2-0 win (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FC_jFLVGEEs), is one good example. Another is his strike against Bologna in the 2008 season during his Inter Milan days, when he connected with an Adriano cross with the back of his heel to score (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hH_POzV6UWE) or more recently his 30 yard free kick for new club PSG against Marseille that had commentators speechless (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqqDFLvGhAg).
Even in his earlier career with Malmo and Ajax, Ibrahimovic loved to wow the home fans with flashes of brilliance.A legend during his time at Ajax, he became so by scoring goals in breathtaking fashion. His close control, technique and finishing abilities (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgqsaDnsEq8) make it clear why Ajax felt they had unearthed a gem in Malmo. Footage of his time spent at the small Swedish club is limited, but in the clips that do, it is obvious why clubs across Europe were interested (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkI9V3Up5to). Arsenal came close to signing him in 2000 when Ibrahimovic was still at Malmo, with the striker even posing in the Arsenal shirt, but the transfer broke down and he moved to Ajax instead.
Now 31, Ibrahimovic is supposed to be reaching the latter stages of his career but his form for club and country shows no signs of slowing down with age. His strikes against England cement his place in footballing history as one of the greatest European striker’s to have played the game.
To see his 3rd and 4th goals against England, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xz38qqfxuH4
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