In typical self-reverence, Zlatan Ibrahimovic says he has confounded his critics, after scoring four goals last night against England. And the Swedish striker believes his abilities were never celebrated in England, until his stellar showing against their national team.
“That’s the way it is with the English,” Ibrahimovic said. “If you score against them you’re a good player, if you don’t score against them you’re not a good player.
“I remember Lionel Messi before the 2009 Champions League final for Barcelona … then he scored against Manchester United and suddenly he was the best player in the world. Maybe now they’ll say something like that about me.”
The talking point of the game, was his brilliant fourth goal – an overhead volley from more than 30 yards out.
“Hart was a long way out and I was just trying to get it into the goal. I was on the ground when it was on the way in. I saw a defender sliding in to try to get rid of it and I wanted to scream ‘No’ but the ball went in,” the 31-year-old said.
“Even if it was a friendly I had to show my happiness and give it back to the crowd. What went through me then it’s hard to describe. I enjoyed it very much.”
Ibrahimovic has now scored 39 goals in 85 appearances for his country.
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