Zlatan

giorno

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Pretty funny that after all this talk of Lions and mentality, this guy routinely disappeared on the big stage particularly in CL knockouts throughout his long career.

I doubt I have seen a big name player with more consistent no-shows in the Champions Leagues.

The way he has marketed himself, Football fans lap it up. Milan won due to Theo, Leao, Giroud and co. Zlatan has been a glorified cheerleader for most of the season.

If we start looking for coincidences since Zlatan came, we can do the same for Giroud too.
Nope. For one thing, everybody within Milan has been crediting him with that stuff. For another, Milan's fortunes began to change right after he came back in 2020. Players that looked like lame ducks pre-Zlatan suddenly started looking like great players? And when asked about the change in performances, credited Ibra's leadership and mentorship? Yeah. Sure, it's all marketing
 

Thelongsleevesofblomqvist

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ASFAIK it's not legal, since he's an owner and shareholder. He won't be joining any teams in Sweden unless he wants to burn more bridges.
It's not correct. At least in a Swedish context there is no problem to be a shareholder of a limited (sports) company and playing for the team as long as you are a member of the club. Could be more ambigous if you are a shareholder for one club and play for another.

As for Zlatan, he was close to join Hammarby during the pandemic and has expressed publically that it is still a possibility. He wouldn´t join any other club in Sweden. As for burning bridges, you do not seem to not know the specific player? His big thing is that he activiely seeks situations where he can prove people wrong and turn haters/burned bridges to lovers/crushed glass ceilings. In the case of Hammarby and Swedish football he already made this position very clear.

The biggest problem, which he hasnt expressed but were the case in MLS, would be that a lot of Swedish themes including Hammarby is playing on artificial grass. Not good for his body.
 
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Reapersoul20

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This shows me why me and you don’t have the same style of football in our heads
God no. His time here is overrated enough already, bringing him back in his current state would be beyond sad. Thankfully not even we're that stupid.
I am amazed people took this seriously :lol:

Dalot and Telles couldn't cross a road nevermind a ball. We could have Ibra, Ronaldo, Roy of the Rovers and Jesus Christ himself in the box and they still wouldn't be able to get on the end of the ball.

I'd have thought the £400k p/w was a giveaway lads ! ;)
 

Jibbs

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Never really liked this guy. I wish we never signed him,
 

Suedesi

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Nope. For one thing, everybody within Milan has been crediting him with that stuff. For another, Milan's fortunes began to change right after he came back in 2020. Players that looked like lame ducks pre-Zlatan suddenly started looking like great players? And when asked about the change in performances, credited Ibra's leadership and mentorship? Yeah. Sure, it's all marketing
Leadership is unquantifiable like goals and assists but IYKYK. Zlatan is a leader no doubt.
 

DWelbz19

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Pretty funny that after all this talk of Lions and mentality, this guy routinely disappeared on the big stage particularly in CL knockouts throughout his long career.

I doubt I have seen a big name player with more consistent no-shows in the Champions Leagues.

The way he has marketed himself, Football fans lap it up. Milan won due to Theo, Leao, Giroud and co. Zlatan has been a glorified cheerleader for most of the season.

If we start looking for coincidences since Zlatan came, we can do the same for Giroud too.
I mean, if Zibra was fit for most of the season and they had to funnel play to him, I don’t think they’d have won the title
 

Relevated

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Pretty funny that after all this talk of Lions and mentality, this guy routinely disappeared on the big stage particularly in CL knockouts throughout his long career.

I doubt I have seen a big name player with more consistent no-shows in the Champions Leagues.

The way he has marketed himself, Football fans lap it up. Milan won due to Theo, Leao, Giroud and co. Zlatan has been a glorified cheerleader for most of the season.

If we start looking for coincidences since Zlatan came, we can do the same for Giroud too.
There's a link between zlatan and success. It either finds him or he finds it. Don't deny greatness.
 

TenonTen

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There's a link between zlatan and success. It either finds him or he finds it. Don't deny greatness.
Greatness doesn't consistently disappear on the greatest stage. And it's not a small sample space either. It's a massive sample space.

Also success is very subjective. Relative to what exactly?
For the hype you and his admirers seem to be giving him, I would expect him to grab a European Golden Shoe or something atleast, especially when he spent his peak in France at a time when the league was shambles playing a state funded club.

I can appreciate the longevity and being around for so long but to be in the elite group you have to achieve remarkable things in your peak. There are like 15-20 players from this generation/era alone who have achieved more in their peak.

The moment Zlatan leaves Inter, they win a treble. He joins treble winning Barca and flops. Then the moment he leaves, Barca win the treble. The moment he's out of the national team, they have their best international tournament in a long time reaching the World Cup quarter finals. Then he returns for Sweden and they crash out of World Cup qualifiers. It took Milan a new striker in Giroud and making Zlatan an injury prone bench option for Milan to win the league finally yet we're pretending he's the main man. These are all facts not opinions.

Hats off to his PR team for diverting attention from his failures at the highest level and deceiving certain naive fans who get all giddy about his cringeworthy quotes. 90% of the time he's in the news is because of a quote rather than actual on-field stuff. :lol:
 

Mercurial

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Greatness doesn't consistently disappear on the greatest stage. And it's not a small sample space either. It's a massive sample space.

Also success is very subjective. Relative to what exactly?
For the hype you and his admirers seem to be giving him, I would expect him to grab a European Golden Shoe or something atleast, especially when he spent his peak in France at a time when the league was shambles playing a state funded club.

I can appreciate the longevity and being around for so long but to be in the elite group you have to achieve remarkable things in your peak. There are like 15-20 players from this generation/era alone who have achieved more in their peak.

The moment Zlatan leaves Inter, they win a treble. He joins treble winning Barca and flops. Then the moment he leaves, Barca win the treble. The moment he's out of the national team, they have their best international tournament in a long time reaching the World Cup quarter finals. Then he returns for Sweden and they crash out of World Cup qualifiers. It took Milan a new striker in Giroud and making Zlatan an injury prone bench option for Milan to win the league finally yet we're pretending he's the main man. These are all facts not opinions.

Hats off to his PR team for diverting attention from his failures at the highest level and deceiving certain naive fans who get all giddy about his cringeworthy quotes. 90% of the time he's in the news is because of a quote rather than actual on-field stuff. :lol:
 

Filip#6

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People have been questioning Zlatan all his career, fact is he wins titles and he is always an important team member in the winning team. A certain United team comes to mind.

This year he has had a lot of injuries (40 ish year old) but still contributed on and off the pitch. And won Seria A.
 

TenonTen

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Sure. If you say so.

All the things I listed are facts. But this is exactly how fanboys deflect. Anyways, you deflecting won't magically gift Zlatan any Champions League trophies, Golden Boots or major individual honours. Oh wait...maybe Swedish player of the year awards. Fell short at the highest elite level whether you like it or not. Playing up for the cameras won't change shit. Good day. :lol:
 

Red the Bear

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I think he'll take a coaching/playing hybrid role next season at milan as both parties seem fond of continuing for another year.
 

antohan

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Sure. If you say so.

All the things I listed are facts. But this is exactly how fanboys deflect. Anyways, you deflecting won't magically gift Zlatan any Champions League trophies, Golden Boots or major individual honours. Oh wait...maybe Swedish player of the year awards. Fell short at the highest elite level whether you like it or not. Playing up for the cameras won't change shit. Good day. :lol:
I'm not his biggest fan and have never bought into all the hype, so much of what you said resonates with me.

He is quite a character, hysterically funny, and in terms of competitiveness and professionalism I can't see him being anything but a positive influence in a team. That makes him very likeable and deservedly gives him massive kudos.

Big fish for small ponds though, not CL challenging level but sort of Milan getting a Serie A, us getting a Europa, that's where his sweetspot is.

It's unnecessary to split into fanboys vs haters, both are wrong.
 

Lay

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Surely that’s the end for him. He’s had a fantastic career, so many titles, cups etc. brilliant player.
 

Thelongsleevesofblomqvist

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Sure. If you say so.

All the things I listed are facts. But this is exactly how fanboys deflect. Anyways, you deflecting won't magically gift Zlatan any Champions League trophies, Golden Boots or major individual honours. Oh wait...maybe Swedish player of the year awards. Fell short at the highest elite level whether you like it or not. Playing up for the cameras won't change shit. Good day. :lol:
He has won 14 league titles
 

Vernon Philander

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Greatness doesn't consistently disappear on the greatest stage. And it's not a small sample space either. It's a massive sample space.

Also success is very subjective. Relative to what exactly?
For the hype you and his admirers seem to be giving him, I would expect him to grab a European Golden Shoe or something atleast, especially when he spent his peak in France at a time when the league was shambles playing a state funded club.

I can appreciate the longevity and being around for so long but to be in the elite group you have to achieve remarkable things in your peak. There are like 15-20 players from this generation/era alone who have achieved more in their peak.

The moment Zlatan leaves Inter, they win a treble. He joins treble winning Barca and flops. Then the moment he leaves, Barca win the treble. The moment he's out of the national team, they have their best international tournament in a long time reaching the World Cup quarter finals. Then he returns for Sweden and they crash out of World Cup qualifiers. It took Milan a new striker in Giroud and making Zlatan an injury prone bench option for Milan to win the league finally yet we're pretending he's the main man. These are all facts not opinions.

Hats off to his PR team for diverting attention from his failures at the highest level and deceiving certain naive fans who get all giddy about his cringeworthy quotes. 90% of the time he's in the news is because of a quote rather than actual on-field stuff. :lol:
I think you've missed a lot of context in your analysis, as its akin to saying R9 is overrated since he also has no Champions League medals despite playing for the biggest European clubs in his time as well.

Inter got a fantastic deal to swap him and so he only had 1 season under Mourinho (which he won the title in, btw). We famously know that Jose usually makes his biggest impact in season 2, and key additions such as Wesley Sneijder to their team also helped towards their treble. In Barca, it's well known that Pep mismanaged him after opting to change the focus to Messi mid-season (not saying that decision is a bad one, but of course it disrupts the team and Zlatan himself). The Milan resurrection, by all (literally all journos that follow Serie A closely) have said the turnaround started around the same time Ibra joined. Yes he was a bit-part player this season (11 starts, 8 goals, not too shabby). I have also not seen any hyperbole that states Milan won ONLY due to Zlatan, but to deny he was a contributor is quite bizarre.

Anyway, it seems your beef with him is quite a big one, so I'll just leave this gem here for you to enjoy:

https://www.manutd.com/en/videos/de...-cup-final-between-man-united-and-southampton
 

Thelongsleevesofblomqvist

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Greatness doesn't consistently disappear on the greatest stage. And it's not a small sample space either. It's a massive sample space.

Also success is very subjective. Relative to what exactly?
For the hype you and his admirers seem to be giving him, I would expect him to grab a European Golden Shoe or something atleast, especially when he spent his peak in France at a time when the league was shambles playing a state funded club.

I can appreciate the longevity and being around for so long but to be in the elite group you have to achieve remarkable things in your peak. There are like 15-20 players from this generation/era alone who have achieved more in their peak.

The moment Zlatan leaves Inter, they win a treble. He joins treble winning Barca and flops. Then the moment he leaves, Barca win the treble. The moment he's out of the national team, they have their best international tournament in a long time reaching the World Cup quarter finals. Then he returns for Sweden and they crash out of World Cup qualifiers. It took Milan a new striker in Giroud and making Zlatan an injury prone bench option for Milan to win the league finally yet we're pretending he's the main man. These are all facts not opinions.

Hats off to his PR team for diverting attention from his failures at the highest level and deceiving certain naive fans who get all giddy about his cringeworthy quotes. 90% of the time he's in the news is because of a quote rather than actual on-field stuff. :lol:
There are many things here that are inaccurate or lacks context. Sweden changed coach after Zlatans first retirment from Erik Hamren who was not fit for the job to Janne Andersson who is of the right mould. Zlatan wasnt on the pitch for any of the goals that made them miss the WC (Georgia, Spain, Poland). He had nothing to do with them "crashing out". This season he scored 8 goals and 3 assists in 1.006 minutes for AC Milan, Giroud 11 goals and 4 assists in 1.901 minutes. Giroud is 35 and Zlatan 40 - at 39 he scored 15 in 1.497 minutes

The Inter-Barcelona situation is quite particular. Cruyff, Pep and Thixi brought Zlatan to FCB and they as no one else had forseen Messis freak development into a false nine. It was the wrong choice for all parts. At the same time, Thierry Henry scored four La Liga goals that season...
 
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criticalanalysis

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I'm not his biggest fan and have never bought into all the hype, so much of what you said resonates with me.

He is quite a character, hysterically funny, and in terms of competitiveness and professionalism I can't see him being anything but a positive influence in a team. That makes him very likeable and deservedly gives him massive kudos.

Big fish for small ponds though, not CL challenging level but sort of Milan getting a Serie A, us getting a Europa, that's where his sweetspot is.

It's unnecessary to split into fanboys vs haters, both are wrong.
But are you going to wish the lad a speedy recovery?!
 

TenonTen

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He has won 14 league titles
He has had great longevity and is a great player no doubt.

I just think sometimes people try to magnify his highs while conveniently brushing aside his lows. This is how players get overrated.

I think you've missed a lot of context in your analysis, as its akin to saying R9 is overrated since he also has no Champions League medals despite playing for the biggest European clubs in his time as well.

Inter got a fantastic deal to swap him and so he only had 1 season under Mourinho (which he won the title in, btw). We famously know that Jose usually makes his biggest impact in season 2, and key additions such as Wesley Sneijder to their team also helped towards their treble. In Barca, it's well known that Pep mismanaged him after opting to change the focus to Messi mid-season (not saying that decision is a bad one, but of course it disrupts the team and Zlatan himself). The Milan resurrection, by all (literally all journos that follow Serie A closely) have said the turnaround started around the same time Ibra joined. Yes he was a bit-part player this season (11 starts, 8 goals, not too shabby). I have also not seen any hyperbole that states Milan won ONLY due to Zlatan, but to deny he was a contributor is quite bizarre.

Anyway, it seems your beef with him is quite a big one, so I'll just leave this gem here for you to enjoy:

https://www.manutd.com/en/videos/de...-cup-final-between-man-united-and-southampton
Actually don't have any dislike for him. Just pointing out how he gets overrated. Infact, I'll say something which might be unpopular in the current climate: I rate Zlatan higher than Benzema.
 

Paul_Scholes18

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It is quite amazing how he is still going strong.

I thought after that injury for us he was done.

He is a very hard worker in terms of fitness training etc.

Might be the end now, but would not rule out one final season.
 

Thelongsleevesofblomqvist

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He has had great longevity and is a great player no doubt.

I just think sometimes people try to magnify his highs while conveniently brushing aside his lows. This is how players get overrated.



Actually don't have any dislike for him. Just pointing out how he gets overrated. Infact, I'll say something which might be unpopular in the current climate: I rate Zlatan higher than Benzema.

I agree with the last one. Even more unpopular: Zlatan is better than Henry. Henry just happened to stay long in a single club with English media covarege+was born in France.

Compare Zlatans status and development in Juventus vs. Henrys. Compare Zlatan and Henry in Barcelona (or more correctly by age: Zlatans role in PSG or even Man Utd vs. Henrys role in Barcelona .) Compare Zlatan and Henry in the MLS. Compare amount of goals in national team (and the players that provided them with passes). Compare respective comeback to European football - Zlatan in Milan and Henry in Arsenal. Compare overall amount of goals and assists. Compare their 50 best goals. Compare their 50 best assists.

And a bit more debatable - compare Zlatans achievments in the Serie A with Henrys in the PL.

Anyhow, I think you rather listed the reasons why he is still somewhat underrated (except for the Meme-cult on internet which might have been your main target).
 
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Van Piorsing

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I don't know whether to think he's brave or stupid.
He should just retire and go out on a high.
Based on his post, he had more injections than Jones. He's probably aware it's his last years, so he burn himself to extreme while he still can.

Cantona knew when to stop, but Zlatan is a stubborn freak.
 

DWelbz19

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The idea of having to empty your knee out every week is insanely gross
 

SirAF

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I don't know whether to think he's brave or stupid.
He should just retire and go out on a high.
It's both! He should stop now and not risk any permanent damage. For the discussion above, Zlatan is definitely a GREAT.
 

Mooza

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I agree with the last one. Even more unpopular: Zlatan is better than Henry. Henry just happened to stay long in a single club with English media covarege+was born in France.

Compare Zlatans status and development in Juventus vs. Henrys. Compare Zlatan and Henry in Barcelona (or more correctly by age: Zlatans role in PSG or even Man Utd vs. Henrys role in Barcelona .) Compare Zlatan and Henry in the MLS. Compare amount of goals in national team (and the players that provided them with passes). Compare respective comeback to European football - Zlatan in Milan and Henry in Arsenal. Compare overall amount of goals and assists. Compare their 50 best goals. Compare their 50 best assists.

And a bit more debatable - compare Zlatans achievments in the Serie A with Henrys in the PL.

Anyhow, I think you rather listed the reasons why he is still somewhat underrated (except for the Meme-cult on internet which might have been your main target).
There is no sensible argument for Ibrahimovich being better than Henry. Ibrahimovic doesn’t have one notable Champions League campaign. Very few if any great Champions League moments. Ibrahimovich was a ghost in Arsenal vs Juventus 2006. Henry was great.
Compare them in MSL? Irrelevant. Compare their 50 best goals and assists? Ok. Compare the opposition as well
Henry went to Barcelona and won a treble. Ibrahimovic..
People are right. He’s seriously overrated by some people. He’s behind a bunch of strikers before getting to Henry.
 

Daslogisch

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There is no sensible argument for Ibrahimovich being better than Henry. Ibrahimovic doesn’t have one notable Champions League campaign. Very few if any great Champions League moments. Ibrahimovich was a ghost in Arsenal vs Juventus 2006. Henry was great.
Compare them in MSL? Irrelevant. Compare their 50 best goals and assists? Ok. Compare the opposition as well
Henry went to Barcelona and won a treble. Ibrahimovic..
People are right. He’s seriously overrated by some people. He’s behind a bunch of strikers before getting to Henry.
You're comparing three Barca years with one. What a load of crap. Henry flopped as much as Barcelona as Zlatan did and don't forget Henry flopped at Juventus as well before he joined Arsenal. Don't fool yourself. Everything Barca won with Henry was down to Messi, Xavi, Iniesta. Henry's part in it was very limited. Pedro won 3 CL's with Barcelona and was more influential for Barcelona than Henry. Is he better than Henry?

Zlatan won 14 league titles, everywhere he went except at Man Utd. Henry's record doesn't compare. Nor does his goalscoring record or his skillset. Henry was obviously a very good striker, but Zlatan is a legendary one - an all time great.