"What nasty fog." "Do we have to stand?" "Relax." "You're way too stressed." "Honestly." "Take it easy?" "I do..." "I mean, at work and everything." "Relax, enjoy it." "How many players are there?" " Transfers for 50 million." " I'm worth more than all 24." "Yeah, it's incredible." "Nervous?" "No, I'm a pro now." "I'm past that." "People will be expecting a lot from him." "But he loves the game so much that he goes out on the pitch to have fun." "It's so that if you look in the trunk of his car, there's a football." "He'll say, "I kick it around whenever I'm feeling down."" "He's young, strong and cocky," "Zlatan Ibrahimovic, or just Zlatan, as the new forward likes to be called." "The 1.92 meter tall striker is exactly what" "Co Adriaanse wanted for his squad." "Zlatan Ibrahimovic." "Zlatan!" "For the players, it's an obligation, but fans want it on their bedroom walls." "The Ajax team photograph." "Today, photographers were on their knees to capture the best shots." " Are you vain?" " No, absolutely not." " You don't care how you look?" " Of course I do." "My hair has to look good in a photo like this." "Is Zlatan photogenic?" "He doesn't seem that keen on this." "But it'll be fine." "Zlatan Ibrahimovic combines power with technique." "In Sweden, despite being only 19, he was much talked about, not only because of his football qualities." "You can tell he is a special player." "He does amazing things." "He scored two fantastic goals." "But you can also tell that he's read the book Alone on Earth, too." "He definitely has to learn that football isn't just playing solo," "' "O Sole Mio", it's also about playing together." "Zlatan Ibrahimovic, shoe size 47.5!" "It's amazing that such big feet can make magic with the ball!" "It's 45, actually." "Welcome, boys!" "Welcome, Zlatan." "But especially welcome to you, Yksel." "We'd like to ask you for some good advice, Yksel." "As you know, Malmo FF likes to boost their youth players." "Zlatan is just as promising as you were at his age." "But he's been a pain in ass this year." "He's skipped 350 hours of school." "A new record." "Right, Zlatan?" "And he doesn't listen to old guys." "So now that you're here, maybe you could tell him what you think?" "Learning languages is important." "I assume that you want to go pro in the future," "Zlatan Ibrahimovic, or just Zlatan." "What do you think about that?" "Of course school is important." "My mind was only on my football." "That's why I didn't go." "But after Christmas, I'll make an effort." "That's good." "We were playing Brondby, and you got angry with one of their players." "They were all after me." "I did a dirty tackle on one guy." "I should have gotten a red card, but didn't." "Then everybody on their team got aggressive and started chasing me." "But I was substituted, so I got away with it." "Shit..." "I'll never forget." "No, that was not good at all." "Afterwards, Brondby called me and said," ""We've played thousands of games, but have never seen anything like what happened at Malmo Stadium."" "Tony?" "Don't forget to get that material for us." " Is Zlatan here?" " No, he isn't." "He should be, though." "Maybe he's in school." "No, he never goes to school." " When was he supposed to be here?" " By a quarter to..." "He'll get fined." "That's 200 kronor." "Zlatan, my friend, what the hell?" "You're late!" " Film this star." " No, that's the star." "Did you see Del Piero's dribbling?" "Made the others look stupid." "It was the best." "So you missed the entire game yesterday?" " You're talking about Italian football?" " Yes." " Is that the route you hope to take?" " Yes, of course." "No England, right Zlatan?" " How do you like English football?" " It's crap." "It's crap, that's right!" "Let's go, time for our meeting." "I always played football when I was younger." "Then it just got to be my thing." "Dad said, "You should join a team."" "So I joined the team that my friends were on, Balkan." "Then Dad said, "You should try out for Malmo FF."" "After one practice, they said, "Welcome aboard."" "I got on the first team just as they were relegated." "I was 17 years old." "They put me in, I don't know what minute it was." "I had red gloves on." "I remember that we lost 3-0 and dropped down." "We all sat together in the locker room." "I was the one who was the least disappointed or sad." "Because I was new." "Then Bengt said..." ""We're going to make it back!"" "I felt that it was my chance to show who I am." "And I remember thinking, "I'm going to make it happen."" "Put Zlatan in!" "Put Zlatan in!" "Come on, Zlatan!" "Out of play, so Schoenmakers can be treated." "This is what happened, he got an elbow from Ibrahimovic." "Hugo makes it clear to Ibrahimovic that this is unacceptable." "This kind of behavior doesn't belong on a football pitch." "The footage clearly showed the way he misbehaved." "And he was fined for it." "He's let down himself, his coach, the club and the supporters." "It doesn't belong on a football pitch, especially not for an Ajax player." " But was he sorry?" " Yes, immediately." "He will probably be suspended." "We got three points, but we can certainly do better!" "There were a lot of openings, but Zlatan didn't see us." "Where a simple pass would've given us a scoring opportunity." "We need to understand his way, but he also needs to find his place within the team." "He isn't a star yet, but he thinks he is." "You play around and do tricks." "Don't you think it might make them angry?" "No, I'm just teasing them a little." "There is no sweeter victory than winning by 1-0!" "Isn't that right?" "This is only the beginning." "Zlatan is probably the biggest talent I have ever seen." "He's got everything." "I've had calls, many of them, in fact, from several different countries... but they all get the same answer, "He is not for sale."" "And Zlatan, in particular, needs to mature." "I have a good relationship with him." "I can see that he needs experience." "Not only on the field but also in life." "Deep down, Zlatan is such a nice guy." "But he doesn't have faith in many people." "It must be tough at his age, not having anybody to turn to." "I can be a pain in the ass." "I'm hard to get along with." "I have my dad's temper." "He's a confident guy, too." "He knows what he wants and he knows what he's doing." "I like to dribble." "So sometimes, instead of passing, I dribble." "Sure, that might annoy the other players, but it's a part of the game." "Without that, it's no fun." "Football has to be fun." "Otherwise, it's not worth playing." "A big game in Superettan between Malmo FF and Djurgardens..." "Home game" " Malmo FF vs Djurgarden" "Malmo had a good team, on paper, with well known players." "And then they had this newcomer, Zlatan Ibrahimovic." "A young, arrogant, cocky guy who didn't really have anything to be cocky about." "It was like he enjoyed humiliating his opponents more than scoring a goal." "That if he cut someone down, it made him bigger." "My job was to mark Zlatan." "This kid who could basically do anything with a football... but who had a hard time controlling himself." "He'd want to retaliate, and he'd get physical about it." "So I'd stand right behind him and trash-talk a little." "We knew that if we could get him off balance, he wouldn't play as well." "We'd had several clashes already." "Zlatan elbowed me hard when the ref wasn't looking." "So I remember thinking, "You want trouble, you got it!"" ""That guy belongs on the bench." "He should be taught a lesson."" "Then there's this situation where he falls and I think he's diving." "So I run up and say some choice words about that elbow of his." "Zlatan walks away and he's really pissed off." "We had him exactly where we wanted him." "Mission accomplished." "We win the game." "And the Djurgarden supporters really taunted Zlatan." "Zlatan, may we take a picture?" "Thank you." " Doesn't it get lonely sometimes?" " Yes, it does." "There's a lot of downtime." "I'm at home alone a lot." "I try to make the best of things, but there's not much going on." "I miss my family and friends and what I had in Malmo." "Even the football there." "Now I have to start over." "I have to make a new life for myself." "Malmo or Amsterdam?" "Malmo." "This Sunday, Ajax will play PSV in a top-of-the-table clash." "The good news is that Yakubu and Zlatan will be back." "After a five-game suspension due to elbowing," "Zlatan will be available again on Sunday against PSV." "Zlatan!" "Two minutes left, 2-2." "Kindvall to Zlatan Ibrahimovic." "Really keeps his cool, this 18-year-old." "His seventh goal, the second tonight, Zlatan Ibrahimovic." "And now Malmo FF tops the league again." "Today, everything clicked." "It was a real show." "It felt good from the start." " Good job, Zlatan." " Thanks." "I had to be great since I've had a lot of criticism lately." "I haven't been on top of my game." "I've been feeling off..." "I haven't been playing well." "That's probably it." "Now everything is perfect." " Why haven't you been feeling well?" " I've had stomach pains." "Too much stress." " In what way?" " It's nothing I want to comment on." "The Super Diva of Superettan" "I've learned to take care of myself." "I lived alone with my dad." "Dad's not the best cook, so I had to do it on my own." "The best tricks of the MFF star" "I've done many things all by myself." "So when I lived with him, I'd go to my mom's house every day." "Okay, I was a bit annoying." "I'd go there and eat a lot." "So sometimes she threw me out, when I was too much." "I had to go outdoors and play football." "And it was a good move to get my own place." "To take care of myself." "That's important." "But I don't do my own laundry yet." "Mom takes care of that." "But I'll get there." "I couldn't find the laundry room." "But I'll get there." "I spend a lot of time with my dad." "We're in touch a lot." "He's followed my career since the very beginning." "He's very demanding." "He pushes me a lot." "There was a time when we fought a lot." "I..." "I just wanted too much." "It was when I got promoted to the first team." "I really thought I was something." "Whenever I thought I'd done well, he'd say something negative." ""You simply have to play better."" "Sometimes he can be a bit rough." "But that's good." "'Cause if I'd played a good game," "I might think that I've made it." "But he keeps pushing me." "He said to me, "You're nobody until you're somebody in Europe."" "Come on!" "Show us some goddamn strength!" "Yes!" "Zlatan!" "I'll take your phone number." "Really?" "So do you want the number or what?" "Ibrahimovic is a boy who doesn't deserve to wear the Ajax shirt." "If it weren't so sad for Ajax, for the fans, for Leo Beenhakker who bought him, you'd be able to laugh about it." "That's how hilarious it is." "I'd like to insult this lazy migrant worker in such a way to make him leave." "According to article one in our constitution, discrimination is against the law." "But can't we just this once make use of Pim Fortuyn's argument, and say, "Hey, Zlatan, you second-class foreigner..." "Beat it!" "The Netherlands is full!"" "Ajax moved one step closer to the league title." "The hard-fought 1-0 victory over FC Utrecht yesterday means the first title in four years is within reach." "John O'Brien brilliantly assisted the all-important goal for Mido." "The Egyptian's 11th goal of the season gave Ajax those three vital points." "Mido's been unhappy as a left-winger and has hinted at leaving, but after those important goals, things are looking up again." "Didn't Ajax buy the same type of striker when it comes to Zlatan and Mido?" "No, I think that Zlatan and Mido are different types of strikers." "Mido is, even more than Zlatan, a real "number nine."" "Especially considering his aggression by the goal." "He is a good header." "He takes up positions at both the posts." "Zlatan has to do better at those aspects of the game." "You have three strikers now," "Machlas, Zlatan and Mido." "Isn't that one too many?" "There is a big stadium and there are 60,000 people, and you have to show that you are worth nine million fucking euros!" "Amsterdam, let's hear it for Nikos Machlas!" "Amsterdam, a big hand for Zlatan!" "He scored again today." "Here he is, Mido!" "While vacation officially began for Ajax today, the next season's squad is already taking shape." "Ajax has three strikers, Zlatan, Mido and Machlas." ""One too many," says Koeman." "He thinks it best if the Swede, bought last year for nine million euros, is sold." "So the most expensive player in the history of Ajax, can look for another club just a year after his arrival." "Press "S."" " Not that one, press "S"!" " Not on my computer." "Press the left button." "Yeah..." " That's what I'm doing." " The one you shoot with!" "Look!" "Don't touch my computer." "I haven't touched it." "I just changed the buttons." "Sweetie..." "Look." "You're twisted." "Mom didn't know when I began negotiations with Ajax." "I didn't tell her." "She found out by watching TV." "They ran this photo of me." "Her Swedish isn't that good, so she thought something had happened to me." "She phoned in a panic, "What's wrong?"" ""Nothing, I've been sold to Ajax!"" "She started crying." "When I got home, I got a big hug." "So she's happy." "Dad knew." "I'd asked him, "What do you think about Ajax?"" "I didn't say that I was negotiating, just asked what he thought." ""It's a good team," he said." "I just wanted his opinion." "He collects newspaper clippings." "He tries to get them all." "In the room he fixed up, there's a lot of Zlatan." "It's nice." "Zlatan disappointed - that's when it happened" "He's proud of me." "We moved around a lot." "One year, we might live in two different places." "We'd move every six months." "We didn't like it, so we complained about the apartment being cold." "Then we didn't like the neighbors, and we moved again." "We moved a lot." "Photos of when he was little." " "Zigge." - "Zigge," the gypsy." "That's Zlatan Ibrahimovic." " Doesn't he look sweet?" " Looks can deceive you." "Zlatan tastes life as a pro" "Zlatan's new life" "The first game is between MFF and AIK." "MFF" " WELCOME BACK TO ALLSVENSKAN 2001" "But most eyes are on Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who will be going off to play with Ajax, as of August 1st." "The crowd got the start that they were hoping for." "One-nil after the first half for Malmo." "Goal scored by Zlatan." "He gets the ball, runs full speed into the penalty area and shoots." "Right into the goal!" "How does he do it?" "Super-Zlatan!" "Can I have your shorts?" "May I have the shirt?" " Can I have your shoes?" " You can have this." "I don't have any more." "Zlatan!" "Can I have one shoe?" "Just the one?" "Nice ring." "She's very cute." "She's great..." "Both cute and pretty." "A great girl." "I met her last year, in June." "It was vacation time for MFF and I went to Ayia Napa." "I was staying at some hotel." "She was working at the bar there." "She claims that I was checking her out, but she was checking me out." "We started talking." "Then a little boy asked for my autograph." "She thought I'd paid him to come and ask in front of her." "She had no idea who I was." "And I really appreciate that." "Then... things just unfolded." "We talked and all..." "Well, something happened." "She cried when I left." "I was like, "What happened?"" "After I got back home, we kept talking." "She called from Cyprus." "She got this terrible phone bill, and her mother was upset." "And then she came home." "I went up to Gothenburg to see her." "I was so nervous." "I got to meet her entire family at the same time." "Her grandpa, grandma, mom, dad, and her little sister." "They even had a dog." "I met them all." "Things have just evolved." "She's coming with me to Holland." "She'll study and I'll play football." "Then we'll see what happens." "Hoping for a Zlatan Junior in the future." "Zlatan Ibrahimovic is back at Ajax." "During the World Cup, Zlatan said that he didn't want to return to Ajax to sit on the bench." "He is a talented young player, but he needs to grow." "Usually the second year is better." "Let's hope that's the case with Zlatan." "Van der Meyde." "Galasek." "Chivu." "Maxwell." "Good pass, straight to Ibrahimovic." "Well done!" "What a brilliant goal by Zlatan Ibrahimovic after ten minutes." "Litmanen..." "Good." "Ibrahimovic, and it's 2-0." "Ajax is really cleaning up here!" "Once again, it's Zlatan Ibrahimovic." "Well, I wonder what Mr. Mido is thinking in the stands." "Galasek..." "Litmanen..." "Ibrahimovic scores his first league goal in this year's competition." "And Jari Litmanen created it." "Are you willing to take him back if he apologizes?" "Well, the chance is very slim." "I think Mido has one problem, and that is Mido himself." "Since Mido was banned from the first-team squad last Friday, not a single player has stood up for him in public." "Everybody tried to put shit on Mido." "When Zlatan was sold to Ajax for that kind of money, you take notice." "He went from being a noob to being Mr. Big." "And everyone wants to bring the big ones down." "Number nine, Zlatan Ibrahimovic." "We had some battles in Superettan, and the pressure from the fans to see a tough fight." "We have to take him down." "Patrik Eriksson-Ohlsson is showing fine qualities... keeping the three-man defense line tight." ""You won't get past us, Zlatan." "Djurgarden's defense line is going to stop the super-talent today."" "There was an article the day before, where the three of us said how we were going to stop Zlatan." "We knew exactly how to do it, because we had done it before." "You won't get through here, Zlatan!" ""We have to play tough." "Our fans don't want him to get through," Eriksson-Ohlsson says." "Wallinder's looking for Andreas Johansson." "Zlatan goes in pretty hard on Patrik Eriksson-Ohlsson." "Zlatan isn't exactly the sweetheart of Djurgarden..." "Zlatan breaks and Ijeh's in a good position." "Can he get the ball to him?" "He can't get past Eriksson-Ohlsson." "Zlatan again and check out his glorious technique!" "And he finishes!" "What an artist!" "What a wonderful player he is!" "He's making gestures at the Djurgarden crowd!" "That's not exactly popular..." "He made a fool out of us." "Cheated the entire defense." "All three of us." "He could've made a simple pass to the left, but chooses to dribble and shoot." ""Don't mess up!" I remember thinking that." "He had read the article and wanted to show us," ""Forget about it, guys." "It's me."" "Sorry to say, people are throwing stuff from the stands." "That's not very nice." "Coins and cans are being thrown at the pitch." "I didn't see it happen, but apparently Zlatan got hit." "I'd totally forgotten about this." "We hate Zlatan!" "Zlatan is a diva..." " Have you been to the circus?" " Yes." "Have you seen the guy with the red nose?" "Then you know who Zlatan is." "Come to the bus." " Can you sign my shirt?" " Sure, come to the bus." " Think about Rosengard." " What?" "We're gonna get you." " It's gonna get ugly back home." " Why?" "Well, if you keep on like this." "He has to hide out." "It's hard to go anywhere." "He only wants to be at home watching movies." "Take it easy." "It's hard on him, he can't go out." "Like just chilling out in town." "Walking around, going out to eat without people coming up to him, asking for autographs." "Just to have a day by ourselves." "That would be really great." "I hope we can get that in Holland." "At least in the beginning." "Later, who knows..." "King Zlatan" "Good Luck, Zlatan!" "Malmo is forced to make a substitution." "Zlatan Ibrahimovic is leaving." "Please, give him a big hand." "Wish him good luck with Ajax!" "Number nine, Zlatan Ibrahimovic!" "What an annoying little guy!" "What a major pain in the ass." "Always lashing out at people..." "I don't like him." "Yeah, it's just ridiculous." "I don't know if it was on purpose, but it was an awful foul." "And not the only one in the game." "What's going on with him?" "I don't know." "There was nothing the matter..." "Maybe he felt the need to show off, but in a misguided way." "What will happen tomorrow when you meet at Ajax?" "That will be difficult, because I'm disappointed in him." "Many questions remain, so it's time to visit the Amsterdam Arena." "There he is, hiding in his agent's car." "No comment." "Is Ibrahimovic looking for a transfer?" "What is wrong with Koeman's Ajax?" "Arena Deck" "Zlatan Ibrahimovic is the most notorious player in Ajax right now." "Because of him, Rafael van der Vaart is licking his wounds today." "Ibrahimovic is showered with angry whistles." "Ajax is trailing behind." "Boukhari hits the post, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic scores." "And Ibrahimovic rounds it off." "The enthusiasm is for Ibrahimovic, but he doesn't show a lot of emotion." "Ibrahimovic..." "Great control." "Now where's the shot?" "Maradona, Zidane, they can do it." "And so can Ibrahimovic!" "A stunning goal." "It's ballet..." "Art." "His agent was sitting calmly at the table." "But not for long..." "Raiola had to leave the party after an urgent phone call." " Mino, you're in such a hurry." " Yes, I'm afraid so." "I'll call you back in ten seconds." "Along with A.S. Roma, another club is interested in the striker, Juventus." "And while the others went on partying unsuspectingly," "Juventus paid 15 to 20 million euros for Zlatan." "At 2:00 a.m., Zlatan and his dad arrived at their hotel in Turin, after signing his most important autograph ever." "After a medical exam, he is ready to meet the press, with a respectful and humble attitude." "I remember a columnist at Gazzetta dello Sport who wrote that we shouldn't take Ibrahimovic because he plays only for himself." "Evidently he hadn't understood a thing." "A player who comes to Juventus, the main thing he needs to have is personality." "I wanted to know his past, so we talked about everything, including his childhood." "He probably would have wound up a bicycle thief, if it wasn't for soccer." "2004..." "Which day?" "Which month?" "Maybe the end of August." "August..." "Try looking here." "Look here!" "Ajax Star Joins Juventus" "The day he came to Juventus." "I remember getting an early morning phone call from Moggi where he told me," ""I negotiated all night long, we have Ibrahimovic."" "I didn't really believe him since Moggi was known to stretch the truth, so I thought, "He must be joking."" "At that time, Juventus was the strongest team I'd seen in my career." "And the best possible coach, Capello." "Zlatan, he'll be spending some time on the bench." "I told him, "You have the potential to become number one in the world."" "That's what I told him." "But he doesn't play to score." "He plays for the fun of it." "I kept telling him, "The circus is all show." "Your circus acts are for fans who don't understand soccer and just want entertainment." "But there's no substance." "None."" "He understood." "Juventus hired him in August 2002, pay attention to Ibrahimovic." "Two defenders marking him, gets rid of Di Biagio, right-footed shoot." "It's a goal!" "Ibrahimovic!" "The first match of the league, he scores and makes the third goal for Juventus." "But above all, he scores big as Zlatan Ibrahimovic." "The team wants him to feel welcome, all ten players." "They all hug this guy who just proved his worth and personality." "We're waiting in the mixed zone for an interview." "We're not allowed to film here, only the sponsor logos." "But Zlatan is late." "A Juventus guard tries to stop him." "Hey, come on!" "He's never liked giving interviews." "We sports reporters were a bit intimidated by Ibrahimovic because he was big and tall, with a deep voice and never smiled." "A joke is often enough to break the ice." "With Ibrahimovic, it wasn't like that." "At Juventus, work is taken very seriously." "You work for the team, the club, and to improve yourself." "He realized that he had joined an exceptional group of players, who lead decent, private lives and make sacrifices." "Zlatan was staying above the cafe where I used to work." "He'd stop by for a coffee and breakfast in the morning." "He didn't speak much Italian, but we understood each other." "He strung words together and you pieced together what he meant." "I could tell that he was a private person." "Every morning, he'd ride his bike to the garage where he kept his cars." "Then he'd drive to the training field." "I often saw him come back home alone." "I'd bump into him at IKEA, where he often ate at the restaurant." "Alone." "After a few months, we went to a restaurant in Turin where we could talk in peace." "And that evening he told me," ""My dad's Bosnian, my mom's Croatian." "And me..." "I'm a gypsy."" "Then he asked me, "I want to buy an apartment, do you know someone?"" "And I said, "There's a big apartment for sale in my building, in Piazza Castello, one of the main plazas in Turin."" "So I took him to see it." "And he said, "Yes, I like it." "Good."" "It was nice to see how a person growing up with nothing, suddenly winds up living in Piazza Castello." "It's a journey we'd all like to experience in life." "Then, a few months later, Helena, his fiancee, joined him." "He committed, because he felt trusted." "He felt we had faith in him and that I... that I recognized a top player in him." "He understood that." "Ibrahimovic on that side, he receives the ball." "One-on-one by Ibrahimovic, tries a curl shoot, Zlatan!" "Hat trick by Ibrahimovic." "That's when he started to improve, and to transform his naivety and evolve into a leader." "This moment could determine the outcome of the championship!" "TOTUS TUUS ITALIAN CHAMPIONS" "Everybody's been so excited to see you." "You're obviously happy to be back?" "It's fantastic." "It's great to see all these faces." "It's awesome..." "Where's the balcony where your mother shouted?" "Up on the fifth floor." "Under the yellow balcony." " You couldn't stay out all night?" " No." "Mom would curse in Serbo-Croatian, she wanted me to come home." "But I stayed anyhow." "I'm thrilled." "It's awesome... to be here for the formal opening of the football court." "This is truly my home turf." "Ten, nine, eight, seven... four, three, two, one!"