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‘I lost my identity’ – Zlatan Ibrahimovic says his one season at Barcelona was ‘worst memory’ of stunning career


ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC claims playing for Barcelona was the “worst memory” of his glittering career.

The Swedish legend, 41, believes he “lost his identity” in his only season at the Nou Camp, under Pep Guardiola in 2009-10.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic was discontented playing for Spanish giants Barcelona, a brief spell which came between successful periods with Inter and AC MilanCredit: Getty – Contributor
Striker Ibrahimovic now cuts a relaxed figure in his second spell with AC Milan but has been out injured for several monthsCredit: AP

But Ibrahimovic says he regained his swagger once he left and “conquered the world”.

The former Manchester United striker is now in his second spell with AC Milan, albeit out until the new year following an ACL knee injury.

And he suggested Barcelona was the one place where he was not his true self.

He told France’s Canal Plus TV: “My worst memory? I think it was Barcelona, but not for football. 

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“Yes I disappointed myself. I did things differently. I thought twice before acting and I disappointed myself. 

“I lost my identity there. Afterwards, I found it again, and that allowed me to conquer the world.”

Ibrahimovic arrived at Barca after three Serie A titles in a row with Inter.

And in fact his domestic record in his sole campaign in Spain was decent enough, including 22 goals in 46 games.

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The 121-cap hero did not explain the reasons behind his Nou Camp woes but has previously revealed he had problems with Guardiola.

He told Sky Sports Italia in 2017: “I’d walk into a room and he’d walk out. I’d go to meet him and he’d go somewhere else. 

“I understood that there was something beyond football.

“The problem was his, it was he who hadn’t solved the problem with me. 

“I remember on my first day, he told me that the Barcelona players didn’t turn up to training in Ferraris or Porsches.  

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“He’d already judged me then, but if you don’t know a person then you can’t judge them.  

“He wasn’t the worst coach I’d worked under, but he was certainly the most immature because a man solves his problems.”


Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk


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