“I see that you have missed me…,” Zlatan Ibrahimovic says, his eyes glazed with emotion.
For a moment, it seems as if this human embodiment of bravado — a man who “can’t help but laugh at how perfect I am”, describes himself as a “legend”, and regularly compares himself to God — is about to choke up. A smirk quickly appears.
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“…even on the field,” he adds, only partly tongue-in-cheek. “I’ve missed you, too.”
Sweden have just lost 3-0 at home and, even if the scoreline flattered Serbia, it is chastening nonetheless. Ibrahimovic is stood in the centre of the Friends Arena pitch on a plinth addressing the almost-capacity crowd of 46,956, which has barely dispersed. Those in attendance are captivated.
Ibrahimovic has not started an international since November 11, 2021, and he has not played for his country since March 24, 2023, when he came on against Belgium for 17 minutes.
Reports emerged in Serbia last month that this friendly would not merely be dedicated to Ibrahimovic, who announced his retirement last June, but would actually be his testimonial; that he would pull on the Sweden jersey for a 123rd time. They unsurprisingly turned out to be false given the 42-year-old’s career-ending knee problems and his work as a senior advisor to AC Milan’s ownership.
However, that did not stop the fans from flocking. Sweden’s last three matches at the Friends Arena combined drew 7,766 fewer supporters than Saturday’s friendly and, although there was a strong Serbian contingent, the vast majority were there to say farewell and thank you to their nation’s record scorer.
“This was and is all about Zlatan,” Daniel Nannskog, the former Sweden player-turned-pundit, says. “He always makes sure it is.”
Ulla is weeping. Stood in the fan zone, which is already busy three hours before kick-off, she has not answered the question, nor does she need to. Sporting a Lord of the Rings-inspired “Return of the King” T-shirt, with Aragorn’s face replaced by Ibrahimovic’s, it is obvious what the former striker means to this supporter.
“He’s Sweden’s No 1,” says Bojan Djordjic, the former Sweden Under-21 and Manchester United winger, now a prominent pundit. “Not just in our modern history, but ever — and we have had some greats, like Henrik Larsson, Gunnar Nordahl and Freddie Ljungberg.”
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This appraisal of Ibrahimovic appears universal. Every former player, journalist and fan The Athletic speaks to places Ibrahimovic at the pinnacle.
This exalted status has drawn Crown Princess Victoria, perhaps the only Swede aside from himself to whom Ibrahimovic would bow, to this otherwise meaningless fixture.
Her son, Prince Oscar, is among thousands wearing jerseys emblazoned with “Ibrahimovic” on the back. His is a Milan shirt and there are Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United and Ajax colours on show, even if the vast majority are donning Sweden’s yellow-and-blue top.
There is an unrelenting queue to snap up commemorative T-shirts and scarves, bearing the phrase “Tack for allt” — “Thanks for everything”. That same message is printed on thousands of A3 yellow flyers handed out by Sportbladet, the sports newspaper.
Throughout, the on-field action is almost an irrelevance. The first half’s loudest cheer comes when Ibrahimovic is shown on the big screen for the first time. Sat outside an executive box, dressed in a grey three-piece suit and a black necktie, he makes a heart signal towards the camera.
“Ibrahimovic, tra, la, la, la,” the Ultras chant, ignoring Sergej Milinkovic-Savic’s opener for Serbia.
Come half-time, Swedish music royalty — well, more baron to ABBA’s queen — joins footballing (and actual) royalty. The Hives, dressed in black-and-white sash, are leaping as they play by the pitch. “This is for Zlatan,” Pelle Almqvist, the frontman, bellows — and the song selection, “Hate to Say I Told You So”, is befitting.
Alexander Isak’s introduction at the interval adds pace to Sweden’s attack but, while the heir to Ibrahimovic is awarded the home side’s man-of-the-match accolade, it is Aleksandar Mitrovic and Dusan Tadic who find the back of the net.
Again, the crowd become enlivened by another shot of Ibrahimovic in the posh seats. This time, he twirls his hand, ushering the camera away.
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The Ultras continue to disregard the on-field action and serenade Ibrahimovic with their full repertoire of ditties. From separate sections of the crowd simply chanting “Zlatan” to each other, back and forth and gradually getting quicker, to the classic “Zlatan, ole, ole, ole”, to the more creative use of “Zlatan Ibrahimovic” to the tune of Pet Shop Boys’ “Go West”, the home fans make their enduring affection evident.
The full-time whistle is greeted with a huge roar as a highlights reel of Ibrahimovic’s best Sweden moments — and many of his 62 international goals, including his sublime flicked finish against Italy in 2004 — is played on the giant screen, alongside a small goat (G.O.A.T.).
The Ultras unveil a Tifo, depicting Ibrahimovic’s ludicrous 30-yard bicycle kick against England in 2012, and the message, “Tack for zhowen!” — “Thanks for the show!”
Ibrahimovic had promised “new Zlatan memories” beforehand. Amid all the emotion and lavishing of love, this valediction perhaps lacked the sense of drama, grandeur and arrogance which encapsulate Ibrahimovic.
More than 15 minutes after full time, Ibrahimovic emerges to a standing ovation and, as he walks out to the middle along a long blue carpet, he receives a guard of honour from former players and coaches on one side and the current squad on the other. He is presented with a “122” shirt, commemorating his number of caps, before beginning his two-and-half-minute speech, which is only interrupted by further “Zlatan” chants as he declares, “From the heart, many thanks.”
“It is not just about his wonderful achievements,” says Ingemar. Like Ibrahimovic — whose father is a Muslim Bosniak, mother a Catholic Croat and who was bullied for his “otherness” at school — Ingemar is of immigrant heritage, as are Isak and many of his Sweden team-mates. “He made it possible to believe that if you come to Sweden, if you are a bit odd, from a different background, it is OK to be different. He is an inspiration.”
Almost since the moment he made his senior debut on January 31, 2001, Ibrahimovic has been a superstar, not only in Sweden and, at times, not only even within the footballing sphere.
“Zlatan is big across the world,” Djordjic says. “To Volvo, IKEA, Ericsson — add ‘Brand Zlatan’. In Asia, the United States, everywhere, Zlatan represents Sweden. He is an icon who transcends football.”
Of course, the last word has to go to Ibrahimovic. It always does.
“When I said 25 years ago that I will be the best ever, many people laughed,” Ibrahimovic says. “Well, 25 years later, I can stand here and say I am the best ever.”
(Top photo: Linnea Rheborg/Getty Images)