Swede gunning for Europe as he continues to impress.
After another dazzling display in Paris Saint-Germain’s 5-0 win over Anderlecht on Wednesday night, if it was even possible prior to this season starting then Zlatan Ibrahimovic is arguably taking his game to another level.
Ridiculed for years for his inability to produce in Europe, the Swedish international is excelling in the French capital and is replicating the kind of form that has previously lit up the Dutch, Italian and French domestic leagues in Europe’s premier competition.
With PSG still unbeaten in Ligue 1 and topping the table, the 32-year-old currently has five goals in the top tier of French football, but impressively now has six goals in the Champions League.
The fact that only Cristiano Ronaldo has more goals than him further reinforces the disappointment that one of the two superstars will be absent from the World Cup next summer following the play-off draw which has pitted Sweden and Portugal against each other.
Nevertheless, supporters of Inter Milan, Juventus and AC Milan will be fully aware of the class that Ibrahimovic possesses after glittering spells in Italy.
However, the biggest frustration for fans of the big Swede is having to hear critics suggest that because of his previous ineffective performances in Europe, particularly against English sides, he isn’t perhaps world class.
“That’s the way it is with the English. If you score against them you’re a good player, if you don’t score against them you’re not a good player.” he said in an interview last year.
While there is some truth in that, it is also difficult to ignore him as he continues to shine with the French giants around Europe.
For all his domestic achievements, including a remarkable run which brought him eight consecutive league titles across Holland, Italy and Spain, it has been clear for some time that the only silverware missing from his trophy cabinet is a Champions League winners’ medal.
With the likes of Edinson Cavani, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Thiago Silva forming a formidable squad around him, this will arguably be his best chance of achieving it.
If he can continue to perform at the level that he is currently at, then it will be a welcome sight to see one of the best players of his generation lift the biggest prize of them all in club football.
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