Zlatan Ibrahimovic is far from finished. You can take our word for it, or just look at the numbers.
The Swedish soccer superstar announced Thursday that he’ll join Manchester United next season.
Ibrahimovic’s announcement prompted widespread speculation over how well he’ll fare in England’s Premier League. After all, he’s 34 years old, the Premier League is among the most physically demanding of all competitions and most players’ power has diminished by that point in their careers.
But Ibrahimovic is no ordinary player. Over the course of the last 17 season, he has won 13 domestic league titles with six teams in four countries. He has 30 winners’ medals to date. These include championships in his first season at every stop.
1 – @Ibra_official first league season at each new club since 2001 :
Ajax 🏆
Juventus 🏆
Inter 🏆
Barcelona 🏆
AC Milan 🏆
PSG 🏆
King. @ManUtd— OptaJean (@OptaJean) June 30, 2016
Ibrahimovic lit up France’s Ligue 1 (first division) as Paris Saint-Germain’s main attraction between 2012 and 2016. The French top flight is a lower standard than England’s, but Ibrahimovich’s production compares with those of the soccer world’s leading marksmen.
3 – @Ibra_official was the top scorer in three of his four seasons in Ligue 1 (30 in 12/13, 26 in 13/14 and 38 in 15/16). Devilish.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 30, 2016
5 – Goals in Top 5 Leagues in last four seasons
Ronaldo – 148
Messi – 143
Ibrahimovic – 113
Suarez – 110
Lewandowski – 91— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 30, 2016
Ibrahimovic scored a career high in goals last season; a campaign in which Manchester United’s tallies hit historic lows.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic was involved in more league goals (51) last season than the entire Man Utd squad (49) combined. pic.twitter.com/hme3xGRAF8
— Squawka (@Squawka) June 30, 2016
Only @LuisSuarez9 topped Ibrahimovic's tally in Europe's top five leagues with 40 goals: https://t.co/ntGXJYC5xa pic.twitter.com/AUdCQ9137Y
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) June 30, 2016
It remains to be seen how well Ibrahimovic will adapt to his new surroundings. Manchester United and newly installed manager Jose Mourinho will undoubtedly do whatever it takes to support Ibrahimovic, and chances are he’ll return the favor in goals and trophies.
Because that’s what Ibrahimovic does, year-in and year-out.
Thumbnail photo via Mike DiNovo/USA TODAY Sports Images
