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Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s all-time top ten goals

By Roy Emanuel

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 18: Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Old Trafford on November 18, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 18: Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Old Trafford on November 18, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) /
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BARCELONA, SPAIN – OCTOBER 25: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (L) of FC Barcelona scores his side’s second goal from a free kick flanked by his teammate Xavier Hernandez during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Real Zaragoza at the Camp Nou Stadium on October 25, 2009 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN – OCTOBER 25: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (L) of FC Barcelona scores his side’s second goal from a free kick flanked by his teammate Xavier Hernandez during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Real Zaragoza at the Camp Nou Stadium on October 25, 2009 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images) /

3) vs. Real Zaragoza – 2009

Zlatan Ibrahimovic could definitely be described as a mercenary, as the striker has featured for eight different clubs during his football career (and he’s not done yet!). But even with all of his different situations, no setting was as bizarre as his one season with Barcelona and manager Pep Guardiola.

In a swap deal involving Samuel Eto’o joining Inter Milan, the talented striker was the newest attacker at the Camp Nou. While the tactics utilised did not always suit his skills, Ibra was still able to shine bright in Catalonia.

A home fixture versus Real Zaragoza finished as a comfortable 6-1 win, and saw Zlatan’s power at its ferocious best.

Taking free-kicks during that time with Barcelona was not an easy proposition, as there was no shortage of excellent options. Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez and Thierry Henry could all make a case for being one of the world’s best in these situations.

Undaunted by those around him (as he so often is), Ibrahimovic uncorks a shot with so much pace that the ball seemed to take the Zaragoza keeper into the net with it.

Zlatan did not mesh with Guardiola’s “tiki-taka” system, and that destroyed the relationship between player and coach within a very short period of time.

One of the forward’s great quotes comes from his Barcelona days, when discussing how he was used in Spain. “You bought a Ferrari, but you drive it like a Fiat.”

Never one to back down, Zlatan Ibrahimovic departed La Liga for a Serie A return and the rest is history.

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