I Am Zlatan Ibrahimovic

For the people upset about Zlatan being pretentious/self-absorbed--do you all know NOTHING about soccer? Nothing about Zlatan? The first thing anyone would know about Zlatan is that he is absolutely insane, completely narcissistic, and somehow, still brilliant. Why did you purchase/read this book? I am from Malmö and Zlatan got started at my hometown club. I have essentially worshiped him my entire life, and perhaps that connection is what resonated with me. I actually cried a little when he spoke about his return to Malmö/Rosengård. It was nice to see he does have some appreciation for how he is idolized by his fans, some acknowledgement. Yeah, the translation is bad, I would like to read it in Swedish instead. But this is such a unique glimpse into his mind. I absolutely loved the book and would recommend it to everyone who cares about soccer who won't be offended by his arrogance, as many of the reviewers apparently were...

I got this book about 12 hours ago and read and finished it in about 8 hours to the exclusion of everything else. Yes it's an interesting, compelling inside-view on the business of modern football and what it takes to be an outlier that makes it in that world. Unlike many reviewers of the book so far, I can't claim to be a Zlatan über-fan. Obviously I know well who he is being a huge fan of European football and I also know well about the drama and controversy that surrounds him. However, I chose this book because of all the hype about all the excerpts that have been re-emerging with the recent publication of this English translation (vs the sensational excerpt translations we got a couple of years ago when the book first came out). I got this book wanting an inside view of Z's Barca years as well as his controversial behavior throughout the years. What I can say is that he is who he is. Il ne regrette rien, as they say. His attitude to past misdeeds is more "yeah I could have handled that better but it's not that big a deal." As for rules, nice guys who play by the book are forgotten. In any case, like him or loathe him, you have to admire his self-belief in pulling himself up from his circumstances and believing in himself through many of his self-inflicted conflicts with authority. This book also provided a good exposé about the characters of people behind the scenes in the clubs he's played in and against as well as how dirty and underhanded the business of football is. This book is interesting and fast-paced with a narrative style that is easy and fun to read even when he's reliving football matches. Have no fear of disappointment because this also happens to read like a Disney sports movie where every difficult and controversial season is capped with a trophy. But this is the fact of this great legend's life. He's told his story unapologetically in a way that is only to be expected from Zlatan.

This book is fantastic. Well-written, fast-paced. You get to meet the real Zlatan, his struggles as well as his success. The English translation, however, is appalling. The translator keeps saying: "It was mental/mental Yugo..." etc. And I still am not sure if the word has a deeper meaning than crazy :) Also, what is a council-estate lad?! Such a pity this book was not translated in a fast-paced American English.

This is a great book. Zlatan speaks about how the football world really works, holding nothing back. Every chapter of the book is interesting in its own way, giving you a great perspective on the professional and personal life of -in my opinion- the greatest center forward to have ever played the game. It's truly a very entertaining read.

I guess this book falls into middle ground of sports autobiographies, not boring or dreary, not exactly a well written work of art either. Zlatan had a good story and the ghost writer does a good job of letting the true zlatan come across....and the true zlatan is such an unbelievablely self absorbed nutcase it makes for an enjoyable enough read

Es un libro interesante si quieres enterarte de cosas sobre este personaje y los entresijos del fútbol profesional. Pero hay que ser crítico, ya que es sólo su versión.

Excellent read lots of history and behind the scenes of the soccer world, highly recommend…

I read this book a while back. Interesting character with, for me an unexpected history. An enjoyable read.

A very good Bio of an very amazing Footballer!!!!!! Very good and easy written. Very personal it makes it easy to read and to follow his early stages. Sad thing; i miss some pages about his time at PSG, some funny anecdotes about Players/Managers and a slice less of his explanations about his Character, i love him still! Another weak point is, its to short, because i read it in 2 Days (a sign for tension, Quality and simpleness)!!!!!A must read for every Ibracadabra fan and a smart enjoyable read for 2 Days. Hope his second Part comes after his career.

The words "footballer's autobiography" usually puts the fear of god into most people. For the most part you know what to expect - a dull account that has probably been ghost written. So thankfully I am Zlatan Ibrahimovic is far removed from the usual drivel from many a footballer. Its a well known fact that the English media has a rather poor opinion of Zlatan and for no real reason. Labeled as arrogant and troublesome (which he does admit to in his own words) as well as being a mercenary. How odd that a man cast as a mercenary has never played in England considering thats where many a mercenary is likely to make the most money! To be honest even those of you who follow the train of thought that he is over-rated etc would be won over by this detailed account of his rise to stardom. He pulls no punches about his early life in Sweden and how his upbringing was far from conventional. His parents separated when he was at an early age but never does he make excuses for his behaviour - he thrives on who he is. He is not afraid to offer his opinion on a vast aray of subjects (and individuals) which it must be said is very refreshing for a footballer. None of the 'woe is me' you might come to expect. Maybe at times the humour is unintentional but you can't help but admire the guy for breaking the rules and making it to the very top whilst forging his own path. Such a shame he has not graced the Premier League (as of yet). So as some may view him as cocky but after reading this you may discover that is a huge slice of self belief.