Thank you, Ibra! Italy congratulates, the whole planet congratulates. Zlatan Ibrahimovic turns 40 today.One of the greatest and longest-lived football aces of the 21st century marked the childhood of several generations. Played in nine clubs (Malmö, Ajax, Juventus, Inter, Barcelona, Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, LA Galaxy), won trophies in four of the five biggest leagues (Italy, Spain, England, France; 33 in total), scored 565 goals, which currently ranks him in third place among active football players.Above him are only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.Specifically self-loving (many will say for marketing purposes), Ibra, of course, never admitted to anyone, not even to the two greatest players of today, that they are better than him. In fact, only once, with boyish enthusiasm, did he give such recognition to Ronaldo Nazario. Remember that look before the Derby della Madonnina?A “million dollar” shot…Zlatan Ibrahimovic marked the football game in a special way. Few will classify it as the biggest. And yet, there is no man who will not sigh at the mention of his name. And then the memories start coming back…That master flick against Regina in the Inter shirt. Do the younger ones remember? Oh, what a lob! And the one from his younger days, against Breda in Amsterdam? Solo for all times! Free kicks, scorpion kicks, scissor kicks – the icing on the cake is the mother of all scissor kicks. That goal against England. Rare works of art. Some of the most beautiful goals of all time. No, neither Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo scored such goals…There have always been discussions about Ibra and his behavior. And there will be as long as he plays. But regarding his football skills – never.Here is something for the younger ones to learn and for the older ones to remember.SPECIALLY FOR THIS OCCASIONMancini: “Hi Zlatan, the best way to congratulate you is to say thank you. Thank you for helping me win some of the most important trophies: not just the Scudetto we won against Parma. Thank you for helping me in your own way: quality but above all professionalism, always perfect on and off the pitch.“We have always got along well, we have never had any problems. I was lucky with you for another reason as well. I had the pleasure of training you perhaps at the peak of your career, it was truly an extraordinary moment for you. This is why today seeing you on the pitch like this makes me happy – not because you are still playing at 40, but because you still do it at high levels.“And this – but you know it – is the best reward for your professionalism. You missed the award that for many, not for you, is the highest recognition for a player, the Balon d’Or: for me, you would have deserved it as Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have deserved it in recent years. From what you have shown, you have not been outdone by them. And have a beautiful birthday.”Mihajlovic: “The first time we met we exchanged insults and hurls to the point of being sent off. And the last time, we found ourselves singing together, but it would be better to say out of tune, on the Sanremo stage by destroying the song “Io vagabondo”. Between that April 20, 2005, when I came to look for you in the locker room to beat you without finding you, but thinking ‘this guy has balls’, and last year’s Festival, when you wanted me to be your guest, 16 years have passed.“We first had to clash to understand that we were made of the same material: that of tough, confident people, but always true. Over time I have discovered that the Ibra as a man is worth as much if not more than the champion.And I understood it once again when, during my illness, you called me to the hospital and you could not speak because of the emotion, but you said in a faint voice: “Sini, for you I am willing to do anything, call me and I’ll play for free.“You know how much I would have liked to have you on the team, but it was right that you returned to Milan to end an epic career. Which is not over yet. I know you will still contribute, with the class and personality that makes you unique in the world. Best wishes my dearest friend: for lions like you, the time that passes does not count.”Zanetti: “Thank you, Zlatan! Thank you for that Scudetto in Parma. I remember everything well: the game started badly, the pitch was difficult, and then you came in. We knew that sooner or later he would score a goal. I remember after the hug in the locker room with Moratti … Unforgettable. You were great both as a teammate and as an opponent. Even in training. Happy birthday, Zlatan. You are a timeless champion. Enjoy.”Cannavaro: “My friend! You are 40 years old, but still with an exceptional body. The defenders are still afraid of you. I don’t… Remember when you came to Juve? In training with me and Thuram … You couldn’t pass us by – ha-haaa! You were fascinated by Naples. And I promised to take you. I think it was 2005. You and I on a vespa in the streets of my city – priceless. I’m waiting for you at home, my friend.”
