Top 10 Best Zlatan Ibrahimovic Quotes

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is well-known for his skill on the soccer field, as well as his larger-than-life personality and confidence that has resulted in some pretty memorable quotes. These quotes reflect Ibrahimovic's unique and polarizing personality, and are a mix of humor, self-confidence, and competitive spirit.

1. "When you buy me, you are buying a Ferrari. If you drive a Ferrari you put premium petrol in the tank, you hit the motorway, and you step on the gas."

   This quote from his 2011 autobiography is a great example of Ibrahimovic's self-confidence. It was in response to criticism over his performance, which he dismissed by comparing himself to a high-performance vehicle. He used the analogy to describe his strained relationship with manager Pep Guardiola during his time at Barcelona.

2. "Zlatan doesn't do auditions."

   In 2000, when Ibrahimovic was just starting out, Arsenal's manager Arsène Wenger offered him a trial. Zlatan already had such belief in his abilities that he refused the offer, leading to this famous quote. He chose to sign with the Dutch club Ajax instead of completing the tryout.

3. "I can't help but laugh at how perfect I am."

   This line is from 2012 and is representative of the striker's unshakeable self-belief, which has been a defining characteristic throughout his career.

4. "I came like a king, left like a legend."

   Ibrahimovic used this quote in 2016 when he was leaving Paris Saint-Germain after four successful seasons, during which he became the club's all-time leading goalscorer.

5. "First I went left; he did too. Then I went right, and he did too. Then I went left again, and he went to buy a hot dog."

   This quote demonstrates Zlatan's cheeky humor when talking about his skill in outmaneuvering defenders on the field. He made the remark regarding Liverpool defender Stephane Henchoz after a match in 2001. It happened while Ibrahimovic was playing for the Dutch club Ajax.

6. "I don't think that you can score as spectacular a goal as those of Zlatan in a video game - even though these games are very realistic these days."

   In 2012, after scoring a remarkable bicycle-kick goal from 30 yards out in a game against England, he made this playful remark about the spectacular nature of his goals.

7. "What Carew does with a football, I can do with an orange."

   Back in 2002, Norwegian footballer John Carew criticized Zlatan's elaborate tricks as unnecessary. Zlatan responded with this quote, dismissively suggesting that his skills were far superior.

8. "Swedish style? No. Yugoslavian style? Of course not. It has to be Zlatan-style."

   This quote from 2016 is a testament to Zlatan's individuality, insisting that his playing style can't be categorized by his Swedish or Yugoslavian (he's of Bosnian and Croatian descent) roots, but is unique to him.

9. "If I'd gone to war rather than play football, I'm pretty sure the other side would have surrendered."

   Ibrahimovic made this humorous, boastful remark in 2014, likening his dominance on the soccer field to a theoretical battlefield. It serves as a classic example of the Swedish striker's larger-than-life persona. At the time, he was asserting his influence while playing for Paris Saint-Germain.

10. "I'm like wine. The older I get, the better I get."

    In 2013, the then-32-year-old striker made this comment in response to questions about his advancing age, confidently asserting that his skills were only improving with time.