Anyone familiar with the stylings of PSG and Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic knows that he's never one to hold back, on the field or off it. So it was no surprise to see him turn on the charm in an amusing conference call with US media, where he discussed everything from his interest in a possible move to MLS to who he's cheering for in the World Cup to the perception of his ego.
For one, he's not about to let his absence from the roster of FIFA Ballon d'Or finalists (given to the best player annually in world soccer) hurt that ego, simply telling reporters on the call in response to a question about the award: “I’m the best, boy.”
He did concede that it might hurt his name recognition in the US, even if we here at The Sideline think that between his big personality and striking appearance he'd have no trouble being recognized over here. However, he did present a solution that could appeal to his Stateside fans:
“I’m not nominated for the Golden Ball so, I don’t know, maybe in America nobody knows who I am there," the man known as 'Ibra' explained. “So maybe I should come over and play some seasons so people get to know me.”
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Lest anyone worry we'd get a washed-up version of Zlatan don't worry, he's only going to get better with age: “I’m like the wine. The older the wine is the better it is. So the older I get, the better I get.”
And because any quality interview should usually involve the interviewee referring to himself in the third person, Zlatan saved this gem for a question from KICKTV's Jimmy Conrad on whether or not "Zlatan would kick Cristiano Ronaldo extra hard for taking away Zlatan's opportunity to go the World Cup" in an upcoming Real Madird-PSG friendly, he replied:
“No. I think Zlatan will be very cool with Ronaldo. Zlatan will do a good preparation and Zlatan will play the game and then Zlatan will focus on the rest of the season for 2014. Zlatan is very happy for Ronaldo that he’s going to the World Cup and Zlatan will see what will happen under the World Cup.”
For more quality Zlatan quotes, you can find the transcript of his conference call right here on Fox Soccer.
