I am a serial winner ...
I am a serial winner ...
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Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice for Manchester United in Sunday's 3-2 EFL Cup final win over Southampton as the Swede bagged his 32nd trophy.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice for Manchester United in Sunday's 3-2 EFL Cup final win over Southampton as the Swede bagged his 32nd trophy.
GLYN KIRK/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Last season, Ibrahimovic scored 46 goals for Paris Saint-Germain as the French club stormed to a fourth successive league title. And as he says, there is only one Zlatan...
Last season, Ibrahimovic scored 46 goals for Paris Saint-Germain as the French club stormed to a fourth successive league title. And as he says, there is only one Zlatan...
BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images/file
He is part of that exulted class of sport star identifiable by their first name alone -- Zlatan. A Swedish striker renowned the world over, Ibrahimovic has enjoyed a stellar career. An undeniable talent, he is as famous for his unique view on the world as he is for his soccer skills.
He is part of that exulted class of sport star identifiable by their first name alone -- Zlatan. A Swedish striker renowned the world over, Ibrahimovic has enjoyed a stellar career. An undeniable talent, he is as famous for his unique view on the world as he is for his soccer skills.
Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
"Ibra," began playing football in Malmo, Sweden, before later signing for the city's professional team. Here, he's pictured there in 2007 with children hoping to emulate the local hero.
"Ibra," began playing football in Malmo, Sweden, before later signing for the city's professional team. Here, he's pictured there in 2007 with children hoping to emulate the local hero.
OLA TORKELSSON/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Now 35, he's never been short of self-confidence, even as a 17-year-old who was offered a trial with Arsenal. "Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger asked me to have a trial when I was 17," he wrote in his book. "I turned it down. Zlatan doesn't do auditions."
Now 35, he's never been short of self-confidence, even as a 17-year-old who was offered a trial with Arsenal. "Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger asked me to have a trial when I was 17," he wrote in his book. "I turned it down. Zlatan doesn't do auditions."
ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
His career has seen him play for some of Europe's biggest clubs, winning trophies in the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, France and England.
His career has seen him play for some of Europe's biggest clubs, winning trophies in the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, France and England.
KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP/Getty Images
The Swede spent one season at Spanish club Barcelona -- scoring 21 goals in 41 games for the Catalans. But he struggled to get along with the club's revered coach Pep Guardiola. In his book, Ibrahimovic described how players were supposedly banned from driving super cars to training.
The Swede spent one season at Spanish club Barcelona -- scoring 21 goals in 41 games for the Catalans. But he struggled to get along with the club's revered coach Pep Guardiola. In his book, Ibrahimovic described how players were supposedly banned from driving super cars to training.
AFP/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Ibrahimovic joined PSG from AC Milan in 2012. He spearheaded the club's rise to the upper echelons of European football, which has been funded by Qatar Sports Investments.
Ibrahimovic joined PSG from AC Milan in 2012. He spearheaded the club's rise to the upper echelons of European football, which has been funded by Qatar Sports Investments.
JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images/file
Arguably the finest goal of Ibrahimovic's career arrived in Sweden's 4-2 win over England in 2013. From 30 yards out, he performed a spectacular bicycle kick, which looped over goalkeeper Joe Hart and was subsequently named goal of the year.
Arguably the finest goal of Ibrahimovic's career arrived in Sweden's 4-2 win over England in 2013. From 30 yards out, he performed a spectacular bicycle kick, which looped over goalkeeper Joe Hart and was subsequently named goal of the year.
FREDRIK SANDBERG/AFP/Getty Images/file
Ibrahimovic prolonged his international career by helping his country secure a place at Euro 2016, at the expense of Denmark. Sweden won a two-legged playoff 4-3 on aggregate.
Ibrahimovic prolonged his international career by helping his country secure a place at Euro 2016, at the expense of Denmark. Sweden won a two-legged playoff 4-3 on aggregate.
JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The Swedish Postal Service honored the country's finest footballer with a range of his own stamps, released in 2014.
The Swedish Postal Service honored the country's finest footballer with a range of his own stamps, released in 2014.
Posten
Despite being one of football's biggest stars, Ibrahimovic is a family man off the pitch -- raising two children with his wife, Helena Seger.
Despite being one of football's biggest stars, Ibrahimovic is a family man off the pitch -- raising two children with his wife, Helena Seger.
KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Behold the "Zlatan burger," a mountain of meat dedicated to the Swede. The $41 monster was the brainchild of French cafe manager Jean-Philippe Grandin.
Behold the "Zlatan burger," a mountain of meat dedicated to the Swede. The $41 monster was the brainchild of French cafe manager Jean-Philippe Grandin.
Jean-Philippe Grandin
Je suis Zlatan: Ibrahimovic in 11 images

Story highlights

Zlatan Ibrahimovic announces exit from Paris Saint-Germain

Swedish striker declares: "I came like a king, left like a legend."

The 34-year-old is out of contract in the summer

CNN  — 

“I came like a king, left like a legend.”

It is the most Zlatan Ibrahimovic way possible of putting yourself on the transfer market.

The Swedish striker’s tweet, announcing that Saturday’s match against Nantes will be his last for Paris Saint-Germain, leaves people in no doubt as to his intentions, or his view on the legacy he leaves in France.

The 34-year-old has won four straight Ligue 1 titles with the French club and seven cup competitions, but success in the European Champions League has eluded him – PSG failing to make it past the quarterfinals in the last three seasons.

His departure was later confirmed on the club’s official website in a statement that also revealed he would return in a “managerial capacity” once his playing career had ended.

“I am very proud of the last four years,” he said. “I loved every day I spent here. Paris Saint-Germain has become a star club in the world and I played a key role moving it forward.

“It is now the right time for me to take a different path. I would like to thank my teammates, the technical staff and all the people in the club. My heart is with the fans. They were amazing from the first day I came here. They are the best fans in France.

“It is not a farewell but only an au revoir. I came like a king, I leave like a legend but I will be back.”

Ibrahimovic will not be short of suitors.

He has been linked with a move to the English Premier League with Manchester United, Los Angeles Galaxy in MLS and a return to Italian giants AC Milan, where he spent two seasons between 2010 and 2012.

A return of 46 goals in 49 matches for PSG this season still proves he can cut it at the top level, while his 36 league goals propelled it to a fourth consecutive crown.

The mercurial forward is always good for a soundbite, constantly referring to himself in the third person. When once asked by reporters what he’d be getting his girlfriend for her birthday he replied: “Nothing. She has Zlatan.”

After criticism from Norwegian striker John Carew, Ibrahimovic famously retorted: “What Carew can do with a football, I can do with an orange.”

Nasser Al-Khelaifi, President and CEO of Paris Saint-Germain, heaped praise on Ibrahimovic: “In just four years Zlatan has greatly contributed to the history and notoriety of Paris Saint-Germain as well as promoting French football worldwide.

“Ibra is truly a great man on and off the pitch. With his incredible talent and charisma, he has conquered the heart of the people of Paris and far beyond. All the trophies he won with the club, the records he broke and his amazing goals will stay forever in our memories.

“I am extremely proud of having welcomed Ibra in Paris and I’m now looking forward to the prospect of working with him again at the club when he finishes his career. He will always be home at Paris Saint-Germain.”

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