Summary of "Zlatan IBRAHIMOVIC: io Zlatan | Live dal Festival dello Sport 2025"

Zlatan Ibrahimović Interview at Festival dello Sport 2025

The video features a live interview with Zlatan Ibrahimović at the Festival dello Sport 2025, where he discusses his illustrious football career, current roles, and personal life.

Career Achievements and Current Roles

Zlatan opens by reflecting on his remarkable achievements:

573 goals scored
12 to 14 championships won across nine teams
Global recognition as a football icon

He explains his current position as an operating partner and ownership representative at AC Milan through RedBird Capital. Despite having retired from playing, Zlatan emphasizes his active involvement in the club and other projects.

After 25 years of professional football, his initial retirement freedom lasted only three months before he returned to work, staying active to maintain a sense of purpose.

Personal Life and Lifestyle

Zlatan talks about balancing his life between Milan and Sweden, traveling for business and personal growth. He prefers to avoid having a fixed office to maintain mental freedom.

Regarding his family, Zlatan shares:

He is a father to two sons who play football.
He advised them not to pursue the sport professionally.
He has protected their privacy by using their mother’s surname.

Views on AC Milan and Football

On AC Milan and Coach Massimiliano Allegri

Zlatan praises coach Massimiliano Allegri for bringing stability and experience to AC Milan. He defends Allegri against criticism focused on style over results.

He recounts past tensions with Allegri during their time at Juventus but frames it as normal between two winners.

Zlatan describes his current involvement with the Milan team, including:

Presence in the locker room
Supporting players emotionally, especially after tough matches

Key Players

Rafael Leão: Praised as one of the world’s strongest players, with high expectations due to his talent and past achievements, including winning the Scudetto largely on his own.
Luka Modrić: Lauded for exceptional physical endurance and passion at age 40, with a strong influence both on and off the pitch.

Mentorship and Team Dynamics

Zlatan reflects on his role as a mentor and leader during Milan’s recent Scudetto win, helping guide young players and contributing to a balanced team of experience and talent.

He comments on modern football’s shift toward collective play over individual brilliance.

Legendary Coaches

Zlatan shares thoughts on two legendary coaches:

Pep Guardiola: Known for his tactical innovation and emphasis on possession.
José Mourinho: Recognized for his pragmatic style and psychological approach.

He highlights their contrasting styles and impact on his career.

Ballon d’Or and Career Reflections

Zlatan addresses the Ballon d’Or controversy, explaining that his social media post displaying his trophies was not about jealousy but a statement of self-worth.

He acknowledges:

Not winning the Ballon d’Or or the Champions League
Maintaining pride in his career achievements

He praises the current Ballon d’Or winner, Jamal Musiala, for his individual impact.

Support for Young Talent and Italian Football

Zlatan shares pride in young Milan player Francesco Camarda, who recently scored in Serie A.

He discusses the importance of Italian football developing strong forwards, particularly the traditional number 9 role, which he believes is currently missing.

He sends support to his friend Gennaro Gattuso and the Italian national team amid World Cup qualification, stressing the importance of strong youth academies and projects like Milan Future to nurture Italian talent.

Lighter Moments and Personal Interests

In a lighter segment, Zlatan names his top three all-time footballers as:

Himself
Ronaldo Nazário
Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi (tied)

He talks about friendships with players like Maxwell and his passion for cars, including buying Ferraris, which he humorously credits with extending his career.

Zlatan also reveals he is skilled at assembling IKEA furniture.