Milan hitman Zlatan Ibrahimovic insists it’s the Ballon d’Or that is missing him, while Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo ‘have nothing’ more than him apart from trophies.
The 39-year-old Swede is ready to make his season debut this weekend against Lazio after missing UEFA EURO 2020 with a knee injury.
He spoke to France Football and some early snippets have been released via Goal.com, naturally following the usual Ibrahimovic pattern of unshakeable self-confidence.
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Zlatan was asked if he misses the Ballon d’Or as part of his career path and the response was classically his own.
“No, if anything it’s the Ballon d’Or that is missing me.”
Jorginho is one of the candidates for the award this season, although it has been dominated in the last decade by Cristiano Ronaldo and Leo Messi.
“If we are talking about intrinsic quality, then they have nothing more than me. If we consider trophies, then yes, I didn’t win the Champions League.
“I don’t know what criteria they use to decide who gets the award, because I am not obsessed with it. When a collective works, the individual inevitably benefits from that. An individual cannot do well if the team isn’t solid.
“Deep down, I do think that I am the best in the world.”
Ibrahimovic turns 40 next month and had a hugely successful campaign last season at Milan, scoring 17 goals and providing three assists in 27 competitive appearances.
He took the Rossoneri to second place in Serie A and will be in the Champions League this term. [Goal]