Zlatan Ibrahimovic has insisted he is unfazed that he never won a Ballon d'Or and believes he is still the “best,” despite never lifting France Football’s coveted prize.
The AC Milan striker’s highest position in the Ballon d'Or rankings came in 2013 after he finished fourth with 257 votes, only securing 5.29 per cent of the vote.
Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo won the 2013 Ballon d'Or after receiving 27.99 per cent of the vote (1,365 votes), with Lionel Messi and Franck Ribery finishing second and third respectively.
Messi is the current outright record holder for most Ballon d'Or wins at seven, with the Barcelona legend scooping the 2021 edition of the award in November.
Speaking at the launch of his new book ‘Adrenaline: My Untold Stories’ at an event in Milan, Ibrahimovic admitted that winning the Ballon d’Or would be a “nice thing.”
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However, the 40-year-old Swedish superstar doesn’t need to win France Football’s sought-after prize to “prove” his status in football.
“The Ballon d’Or is a nice thing, but I don’t need it to prove that I am the best,” he told reporters.
Ibrahimovic revealed in his book that he “ruined” the huge plans that United had in place for his signing announcement in 2016.
The former United and PSG striker also slammed the “small, closed mentality” at Old Trafford after two separate incidents at the club.
Ibrahimovic made his return to Italy in 2020 as he entered into his second spell with Milan, with the Sweden international out of contract in the summer of 2022.
Super-agent Mino Raiola, who represents Ibrahimovic, has claimed he doesn’t take the Ballon d'Or award seriously after his client never won it.
Ibrahimovic revealed that his motivation at AC Milan is driven by challenging for the Scudetto ahead of securing individual trophies.
“It’s the mentality, I train in the same way that I play,” he said.
“Every day is a final. It was difficult when I arrived at Milan, but we’ve created a group. We’ve created an atmosphere that is over the top.
“Then there was the pandemic, but the staff here is great. I’ve worked with other teams in my career, but this is really excellent.
“The group goes towards the same target. Now, I wake up with pain every day, but I have adrenaline and I go on. This year, the adrenaline is for the Scudetto.”
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, AC Milan, Serie A, Italy, Football