His cheeky sayings are absolute cult! Zlatan Ibrahimoivc (40) is considered the absolute speaker in international football.
Now “Ibrakadabra” has provided plenty of supplies. In his new autobiography “Adrenaline. What I haven’t told you yet” (Piper Verlag, 22 euros, 288 pages), the super striker gets off to a good start.
The first two sentences are: “Okay, I accept my destiny. I’m a god, but a god getting older.”
In addition to many anecdotes about transfers, advisors, cabin Zoff and his role as moderator of the hit festival in Sanremo, the AC Milan star reveals at least eight new secrets about himself.
1. He wants compensation from ex-US President Donald Trump!
I had an apartment in New York at the Trump SoHo in Manhattan, a luxury hotel with apartments, a spa, and premium services. Absolutely great. When I wasn’t there I rented it out. That went wonderfully and was super business. Then Donald Trump became President of the United States and the Trump SoHo emptied. Nobody wanted to live there anymore. I had to sell my apartment because nobody wanted to rent it anymore. Half of the money invested was lost. Trump will have to compensate me for this sooner or later.
2. He quarreled with Manchester United over a euro!
My payslip arrives. I don’t usually check them. I only do a balance sheet of income and expenses at the end of the year. But this time, I don’t know why myself, I feel like taking a look and find that I’ve been deducted a pound. I call the team manager: “Excuse me, why was this charged? She replies: “That was for a fruit juice from the minibar.” “You’re kidding, aren’t you?” “No, you pay for everything you consume myself.” “Okay, but I wasn’t in the hotel privately, I wasn’t on vacation, I was at work. I was there for Manchester United and if I have to play and I’m thirsty I have to drink something because I can’t go on the pitch dehydrated.” That would never happen in Italy. If I caused Milan extra expenses, Galliani said ( Club vice-president, editor’s note) always to me: “Don’t worry, Milan will pay for that.” And it was rarely about a fruit juice from the minibar.
Photo: Piper Verlag
” data-zoom-src=”https://bilder.bild.de/fotos/das-buch-cover-der-neuen-ibrahimoivc-biografie–und-quot-adrenalin-und-quot–906ad4d9f63447a596edae4621870ee7-79618828/ picture/4.picture.jpg”/> The book cover of the new Ibrahimoivc biography “Adrenaline”Photo: Piper Verlag
3. He got a fine for his psoriasis!
The next day, Moggi (Juventus manager, editor’s note) explains to me: “You didn’t play yesterday because you used an ointment without informing us.” “But that has nothing to do with football. I have a problem with psoriasis on my arms,” I explain. “I already got the ointment from Ajax.” “It contains cortisone. You have to tell us everything you’re taking. We have to know everything exactly. That will cost you a hefty fine again.” I read the total and am amazed: “Because of an ointment?” “And if you do that again, the penalty doubles.” I should probably keep my psoriasis.
4. He has no boyfriend!
I erased all my childhood friends from my life because the more success I had, the greater their envy grew. I couldn’t understand that. The more famous I became, the more often I heard them speak badly of me. These former friends only bring me negative energy, I don’t need them anymore. They just expect me to help them financially. I trust some people, but I don’t really have a best friend. Since I was so disappointed and lost my friends from back then, I’ve been looking for solidarity with my family and lead a very secluded, protected life.
Photo: Antonio Calanni / AP
” data-zoom-src=”https://bilder.bild.de/fotos/spielt-auch-mit-40-years-noch-in-einer-top-liga-ibrahimovic-im-trikot-des-ac- milan-e63d1adef6194cda94b57dc652baa4d9-79622848/Bild/3.bild.jpg”/> Still playing in a top league at the age of 40: Ibrahimovic in the jersey of AC MilanPhoto: Antonio Calanni / AP
5. His best friend is his dog!
My true friend, the best friend of all friends, is named Red. He is a dog, an English bulldog. When I need attention, I can count on him. It was love at first sight. I saw him and he was exactly how I had dreamed my dog to be: strong, powerful, with a huge head, even though he was only two years old. He was the perfect dog. I miss him so much that I have a copy of him here in Milan, a kind of statue.
6. He wants Muhammad Ali as a friend!
If I had to choose a friend from history to have dinner with, I would choose Muhammad Ali because he was the same on the inside as he was on the outside. He stood by what he said, even if it meant risking jail. I would have liked to spend some time with him and talk to him.
7. He gambled with Paris Saint Germain for a bike!
Mino (Raiola, his advisor, editor’s note) writes everything down on a piece of paper, and finally he has the whole sheet full of extras. “Don’t you want a bike too, to ride around town?” he finally asks, teasing me about this endless string of demands! “Very good! Let’s also include the bike… Mino doesn’t make a grimace: “I’ll tell Leonardo (Paris manager, editor’s note) and then get in touch with you.” I’m completely relaxed . But after only twenty minutes, Mino announces to me: “Leonardo accepted all your conditions. Also the bike.”
8. His agent Mino Raiola will never forgive him for one thing!
I decide to stay in America for another year and therefore negotiate a contract extension. All alone and without telling Mino anything about what he is so upset about. It’s the worst argument we’ve ever had. Why did I do this? I got to know the owners of Galaxy better. I had a very good relationship with them and I wanted to keep it up. It was enough for me to be the highest paid player in the MLS and to have my mansion in Beverley Hills. Here, after so many years, I enjoyed finally being able to move freely without being besieged by fans everywhere. Palm trees and sandy beaches all around me, I felt like I was in paradise. If Mino had entered the negotiations after my first year in America, he would have asked for anything, including Lakers stock and a bicycle. Mino was too strong for the people there. He would have swept them away, ruined everything and I wouldn’t have played in MLS anymore. That’s why I kept him out of there. He took it very badly: “You shouldn’t have done that, Zlatan. It’s my job. I should have taken care of it.” He was right, of course he was right. But I was afraid that everything would fail. I explained that to him. He never forgave me for that. Not until today. I failed him.
Overall, the book also has a number of less exciting passages. But overall, it’s worth looking into the superstar’s psyche. But the god is also driven by fear: the fear of the end of his career.
