Ex-Manchester United and Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic insisted that one legendary player had a “really different mentality” compared with any other former teammate in his career.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic called it time on his remarkable playing career in 2023 after his second spell with AC Milan, with the Swede enjoying incredible success in football.
The 43-year-old Swedish former forward played for several iconic clubs in his prolific career, including Inter Milan, Juventus, Barcelona, Ajax and Manchester United.
Ibrahimovic finally made his presence felt in England in 2016 after he left Paris Saint-Germain and completed a blockbuster free transfer to Old Trafford.
The ex-Sweden international was reunited with former United manager Jose Mourinho, who had coached Ibrahimovic during his spell with Inter Milan.
Ibrahimovic had a sensational first season with United after he scored an impressive 28 times in 46 appearances across all competitions.
The ex-United star lifted the Europa League trophy and a League Cup with the Red Devils, but he missed the end of the 2016-17 season due to cruciate ligament damage.
However, Ibrahimovic’s influence waned the following season for United due to his time on the sideline before the former PSG striker signed for LA Galaxy in 2018.
Ibrahimovic on his huge influence
Speaking to French newspaper L’Equipe, Zlatan Ibrahimovic opened up about his time at Serie A side Juventus after he left Ajax and moved to the Turin-based club.
During his time at the Old Lady, Ibrahimovic crossed paths with Patrick Vieira and the Arsenal legend had a long-lasting impact on him.
The former Manchester United striker would also play alongside former Juventus teammate Patrick Vieira at Inter Milan after the Calciopoli scandal in Italy.
Both Ibrahimovic and former Arsenal star Vieira completed a move to the San Siro after Juventus were relegated to Serie B in 2006 and stripped of two league titles.
“When I met him at Juventus, he had a really different mentality from the other players I’d known,” Ibrahimovic said, as per Football Italia in 2018.
“He was always on my back, I thought I was doing things right but it was never good enough. He showed me that you have to give more, want more.
“He taught me that we play as we train. That’s how it works: if you train well, you play well. I don’t need to tell you the player and the professional he was.
“He was a phenomenal player who will remain in history, but I’m happy I knew the player and person.
“He deeply influenced my game by pushing me to give 120 per cent every day, every game.”
Ibrahimovic talks Vieira as manager
Patrick Vieira pursued a career in coaching after his legendary playing career ended and has coached several sides, including Nice and Crystal Palace.
The 48-year-old former Inter Milan and Juventus midfielder is currently out of the dugout after he left Ligue 1 side Strasbourg back in July.
Ibrahimovic insisted that he was not surprised to find out that former teammate Vieira had pursued a career in management due to his “maturity” and “experience.”
“I’m not surprised he became a Coach, he already had that in him: his experience, his maturity, his way of helping others,” he added.
“He was always available to talk. He really helped a lot of players, not just me.
“There were big stars at Juve at the time, and to please them you had to give a lot, you got nothing for free.”
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