The Swedish striker enjoyed another sterling campaign in which he has netted 35 times in Ligue 1, though he is still eyeing both more goals and titles
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has won Goal’s Paris Saint-Germain Player of the Year award after a remarkable campaign, though he is remaining tight-lipped about whether he will remain in the French capital. The Sweden international’s contract with the Parisians expires this summer and, after scoring a league-high 35 goals and counting this season – the most in his career to date – he is attracting plenty of interest from elsewhere. The 34-year-old has long been linked with a reunion with Jose Mourinho, the prospective Manchester United boss, but he is yet to decide on his next decision, despite being in talks with several clubs. “The situation is what it is. We will see what happens. We’re talking with everyone,” Ibrahimovic exclusively told Goal after receiving his award, which was voted for by readers of Goal France.
“We are in talks with PSG but also with other interested clubs. We will see what happens but I cannot give you an answer today. Just be positive!” The Swede was also wary of committing to a timescale by when he would make up his mind: “[You’ll know] when it’s official! I will know at that time too. Before that, I wouldn’t know. “It’s difficult to answer this question. When I know, you’ll know and the whole world will know. Everyone is asking that question but I do not have the answer yet.” Ibrahimovic also leads the Ligue 1 assists charts in what has been his most productive season to date, fully deserving his award as he helped PSG wrap up the title in double-quick time. And there are still milestones he can achieve before the season ends, with a 30th title of his career up for grabs in the Coupe de France final, while, with two matches remaining, he hasn’t given up on bettering the Ligue 1 scoring record which stands at 44 goals – nine more than his current tally. “I only need one game to do it!” he jokes. “Seriously, nothing is impossible but it’s not something I’m that focused on. “When I feel good and I’m playing well, the goals come from themselves. I’m not desperate when I get on the field to the point that I say, ‘I must score four or five goals’. They come from themselves. “From the moment the team is playing well, I help the team, the team helps me, and the goals will arrive. Just be alert, concentrate and score when the opportunity presents itself.”
Marseille stand between Ibrahimovic and the perfect end to his PSG career, should he decide to leave the club, and he says winning titles means as much now as it did when he was a kid. He continued: “Of course, it is always a magical moment when you win a trophy, it becomes an historical moment and the story will be written down in books. “But if I ever forget what it means to win a trophy, that’s when I’ll quit football.
“When I started, when I was young, I just wanted to win as many titles as possible so people will remember me. I’m on 29 now and we still have the Coupe de France final to play, so hopefully I can make it 30!” - Goal