LA Galaxy frontman and former Sweden skipper Zlatan Ibrahimovic turns 39 today and we have all been privileged to watch this special footballer dominate headlines for years. A man with acrobatic skills, natural goalscoring abilities and ego of the size of the mountain, there will never be a player like him to grace the game. Like a fine wine, Zlatan has grown better with age and testimony to that is the fact that he has 300 goals to his name after 30. His hilarious off the field antics and interviews have won him admirers all over the world. Zlatan has played top-flight football in  Italy, Spain, England, Netherlands and France and is currently plying his trade in the USA. Success has largely stuck with him barring the Champions League, which he could never win. On his birthday, we look at the top three goals of his career. Zlatan Ibrahimovic Becomes the Only Player from MLS to Register Himself Amongst the FIFA 20’s top 100 rankings.

Solo effort vs NAC Breda – 2004

A special solo effort from a very special player that left the supporters who were jeering him up until that moment in complete awe. Rafael Van Der Vaart had accused the Swedish of injuring him in training and the fans clearly supported the home favourite. As he received the ball from the midfield, Zlatan had a heavy touch but what followed was a mockery of defence by him. He twisted and turned as the defenders danced to his tunes to finally slot the ball home on his left foot.

Rocket strike vs Benfica – 2005

A goal that showcases brute power and finishing of the highest order,  Zlatan let fly a volley from 35 yards which left the Benfica goalkeeper with no chance. After holding off a defender, the ball bounced unlikely for the Juventus man but a sublime strike left the keeper gasping for breath. Since the game was friendly, the goal was never really discussed much to the dismay of Zlatan fans.

Overhead kick vs England – 2012

Scoring overhead kicks are never easy for a professional footballer to let alone scoring them from outside the box. But Zlatan being Zlatan, he showed the world how great goals are scored. His fourth and final strike against England in an international friendly is a goal that till date is replayed over and over again. A long ball up top saw English keeper Joe Hart rush out of his line while the defence focussed on taming Ibrahimovic. Neither of them succeeded as Zlatan scored outrageous overhead kick with his back to the goal that embarrassed the Three Lions, to say the least.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 03, 2019 07:28 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).