Ibrahimovic confirms he is one of the best

After his four-goal haul was completed by a spectacular overhead kick against England on Wednesday, Zlatan Ibrahimovic emphatically highlighted his status as one of the greatest players never to grace the Premier League.

The big Swede’s sensational strike drew plaudits from fans and pundits across the footballing world, with his national team’s manager Erik Hamren stating: “I don’t know if you will see another like it in your life”.

Up until a second-placed finish with AC Milan last season, Ibrahimovic had consistently ended the campaign with a league winners medal since 2004, winning titles with Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona and the Rossoneri themselves.  A champion in three different countries with five different clubs, the Swedish striker is now targeting success in France with a revitalised Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

Currently on 246 club career goals in just over 500 appearances, Ibrahimovic boasts a ratio of almost a goal every other game.  He has already scored 10 goals in the league for PSG this season in only nine appearances, proving his worth as the most expensive football player in combined transfer fees.

There were times during Euro 2012 where the Sweden forward looked like a 16-year-old competing with a bunch of first-years on a playground; his play made him seem as if he was much bigger and stronger than defenders who simply couldn’t cope with his physical presence.  His performances would see him named in the team of the tournament as, despite the fact that Sweden did not progress from their group, Ibrahimovic stood out by imposing himself on the competition.

After almost single-handedly destroying Roy Hodgson’s side on Wednesday evening, one must wonder what Ibrahimovic would be capable of in England’s top flight.  With the striker now at 31 years of age and having just signed a 3-year contract at PSG, we may never find out.

Ibrahimovic might never step foot in the Premier League, but his seemingly impossible effort against England has ensured the imaginations of football fans everywhere will continue to run wild.

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