Zlatan Ibrahimović is one of the greatest footballers of his generation. Let's start with the stats: 558 career goals, most of them against top-flight opposition, is enough to put him 13th on the all-time goalscoring list for the men's game. He's Sweden's goalscoring GOAT, with 62 senior international goals in 121 appearances. He's been awarded the Swedish Golden Ball 12 times, including a ten-year unbeaten run. He's won five Scudetti, four Ligue 1 trophies, a La Liga title with Barcelona and more cups than we can mention.
All this is before that intangible star power the very best players exude from their heads to their laces. He speaks five languages, practices taekwondo, and is starting out on a film career (including I am Zlatan, voicework for The Soccer Football Movie and a cameo in the upcoming Asterix & Obelix: The Middle Kingdom). He's a member of the mononymous club: Beyoncé, Madonna, Zlatan.
A serious injury has so far kept him from playing for club side AC Milan this season, but at the age of 41, Zlatan is weeks away from returning to the San Siro pitch and the pinnacle of Italian football. Having scored in each of the last four decades, and ahead of the launch of H&M Move's new Empower Collection, we talked to the Swedish golden god to find out how you can get your own little slice of Zlatan longevity.
Move, move, move
I’m only happy when I’m moving, so staying in good condition comes very naturally to me. I can’t sit still. When I was young, I probably moved too much – at least that’s what my teachers would say. It probably explains why I became a professional football player. Motivation for me is not a problem, because I love to be active. I like to challenge my body – it makes me happy, makes me feel good, makes me feel alive.
I take it to extreme levels: I have a thing where I’m never satisfied, I always try to push up the level each time. That’s the key to getting movement into all areas of your life – next time, take the stairs.
Yoga
The toughest time for me was when I was seriously injured and I couldn’t move in the way that I was used to. That’s when I discovered yoga.
I’m used to more body contact, moving fast. Yoga was the opposite, so it was a new challenge for me, and I found it really positive. I had to teach myself to cool down, move slowly and differently, focus…
It was very exciting: I learned skills and practices that I can now apply on the football pitch. You should never be afraid to try different things.
Stay competitive
I’m very competitive, so the more extreme and the more challenging, the better. I never turn down a challenge. My continued desire to play comes from that inability to ever give up, teamed with a desire to be a role model to the younger players on my team and kids in general.
Where I come from, people were always judging me and telling me, “No, that’s not possible”. I want to show kids growing up like I did that anything’s possible. I’m the living proof that you can succeed.
Eat for success
You have to look after your body – in all aspects – to be a leader in your field. I’ve always taken care of my body, and what I eat has definitely helped me stay at the top level. Food that works for me is pasta, meat, fish and a lot of eggs.
Getting sleep is important too, but I’m also here to remind people that you don’t need the perfect conditions to succeed. If we look all over the world, not everybody has access to the ideal food or training gear or pitches. I know I didn’t, and look at me now! That’s why I’ve partnered with H&M Move – to level the playing field and get equal access to sports for everybody. Affordability is an important factor.
Variety is king
I love to try out new things, to challenge myself as much as possible. As a kid I did many different sports at school – that’s very common in Sweden. Ball, racket, track, or field: I was in. I think I was meant to end up as an athlete.
I've also had a lot of fun acting, and presenting at the San Remo festival in Italy was such an experience, but my number one will always be football. I’ve reached a certain point where I’d like to give back. If I can motivate people to move, I’m willing to do more than 100 per cent because it’s all about giving back.
The H&M Move Empower Collection will be available from January 12 in 2,400 stores worldwide and at hm.com/move
