Introducing the most frustrating player in European football

Zlatan Ibrahimovic: the Swedish striker, of Bosnian descent, is one of Europe’s most decorated players. He’s been named Serie A’s player of the year three times (2008, 2009, 2011), Serie A’s foreign footballer of the year four times (2005, 2008, 2009, 2011) and Swedish footballer of the year a record six times (2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011).

In addition to his personal awards, he has a truly incredible and unique collection of league winners’ medals.

Ibrahimovic has won his club’s respective league title every year for the last nine years. In 2002 he lifted his first of two consecutive Eredivisie titles with Ajax. In 2005 and 2006 he was part of the controversial Juventus teams that won two Serie A titles on the bounce under Fabio Capello (although both were later revoked due to Juventus’ prominent role in the Calciopoli scandal). When Juventus were forcibly relegated for their part in the match-fixing scandal, Ibrahimovic, along with many of Juve’s star names left the Old Lady, with Zlatan opting to sign for the club he supported as a boy, Inter. At Inter he once again drank champagne from the Scudetto. Whilst at Inter they were kings of Italy for three years in a row. Even when he left his Italian comfort zone to test himself at European Champions Barcelona he continued his unbelievable winning streak, lifting the La Liga title in his only season at the Camp Nou. Last season he received his 9^th consecutive league winner’s medal as a member of the triumphant AC Milan side.

His record of nine consecutive league winner’s medals with five separate European clubs is unrivalled by anybody in the history of the sport.

It’s no surprise when you look at his statistics that he’s adored in Italy where he’s scored on average one goal every two games. Many Italians regard him as one of the best players in the world, and can’t understand why he isn’t being considered more seriously for international awards such as the Ballon d’Or.

Now that I’ve told you of his overflowing trophy cabinet you too might now be asking yourself why he isn’t given the same recognition as players such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo?

The reason is that there are two Zlatan Ibrahimovics.

One is the skilful, powerful, majestic goal-scorer that’s scored 109 goals in 206 in Serie A games for Juventus, Inter and Milan. The other’s a bungling, clumsy, selfish, lazy-looking, pony-tailed lump that plays outside of Italian domestic competitions.

For many non-Italians who only see Ibrahimovic in Champions League games and when he plays for his country at International tournaments, the rave reviews from Italy are confusing to say the least.

The events of the last two games are an excellent reflection of Ibrahimovic’s split personality. On Saturday Ibrahimovic scored an excellent hat-trick as Milan thrashed Palermo 4-0 in Sicily. The Swede performed brilliantly, and all three goals were finished with class and poise.

Last night, against Arsenal in the Champions League he looked like a completely different player. He was awkward and sluggish. He had the control of a rhino and the movement of a drunkard. His passing was shambolic and he continuously gave the ball away. His shooting seemed to lack any effort, particularly from free-kicks and despite his huge 6ft 5in frame, he was brushed off the ball with relative ease by the much smaller Arsenal defenders.

This isn’t an uncommon sight for regular viewers of the Champions League. Time after time Ibrahimovic’s failed to turn up for European nights.

 It’s not only in the Champions League that Ibra’s regularly left fans of the beautiful game disappointed. In his native, Sweden, he’s been a constant let-down. 29 goals in 75 internationals doesn’t represent a good return when you compare it to his club form. At major tournaments he’s promised much but delivered very little and in 2008 he scored against Greece to end an amazing two year international goal drought. In 2010 he was made national team captain in an effort to energise the lacklustre striker, and the push seems to have had a degree of success, with Ibrahimovic scoring a hat-trick in a qualifier after coming off the bench against Finland.

Ibrahimovic will always be judged by his unsuccessful and expensive spell at Barcelona. In an attempt to keep up with Real Madrid’s spending, Barcelona paid the equivalent of 70 million euro for Serie A’s Swedish goal-machine. Though his scoring record wasn’t shoddy (16 goals) he made just 29 appearances for the Blaugrana in his only season in Spain. His lazy façade and his over-casual style of play won very few fans in Cataluña and he was shipped back to Milan for a cut-price 24 million euro. He was a monumental failure and his inability to settle in Barcelona will forever stain the reputation of Ibrahimovic.

Ibrahimovic remains a strange enigma; brilliant wherever he’s played in Italy, terrible in all other competitions.

His inability to perform outside of Serie A has frustrated plenty of football fans who’d love to see him replicate his Serie A form on the international and European stage.

Many theories have been offered as to why he’s frustrated football fans so much. Some claim the difference in styles between Serie A and the rest of Europe means he’s unable to have an impact in other competitions. Some claim the criticism of his performances in other competitions has had an irreversible effect on his confidence, and that’s why he’s not showed up for so many big games.

Whatever the reason, Zlatan Ibrahimovic can never be considered one of the best players in the world due to the fact that he’s never managed to live up to his Italian billing in other competitions.

Zlatan may have nine league titles out of nine, but his failure to shine in the Champions League, La Liga and for Sweden means he will always be considered somewhat of an underachiever.

Liverpool FC show complete lack of class

I have always considered Liverpool to be one of the classiest clubs in Europe. Their history, traditions and spirit makes Liverpool FC one of the most recognisable names in football. The club has always tended to act in a dignified manner with an air of sophistication. When the club’s name was soiled by hooliganism and crowd disasters during the 1980s, the club managed to hold on to much of its respect. In the chilling aftermath of the Hillsborough disaster, fans came together and showed staggering solidarity that typified what the club meant to the city, and highlighted the sense of community amongst the club’s followers. Bar the 2005 Champions League and a few cup successes, the Premier League era has been a baron one for this great football club, however it’s a fair reflection of Liverpool’s class that it still attracts huge levels of international support. Today, “You’ll Never Walk Alone” is passionately sung by the famous Kop end before every kick-off, and is in my opinion the most beautiful song in football.

My admiration for Liverpool FC and its fans is enormous, however this season their glorious reputation has been greatly tainted by the Suarez Affair.

Yesterday the club accepted the guilty verdict against Luis Suarez for "abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour contrary to FA rules" along with the fine and 8 match ban that accompanied the verdict. The Suarez saga dates back to an October clash with Manchester United, and has been poorly dealt with by the Merseysiders ever since.

It all started with an accusation from United full-back Patrice Evra that the Uruguayan had repeatedly commented derogatively on the colour of his skin, with Evra claiming that Suarez used the word “negro” or a variant of the word, five times. Several times during the 1-1 draw at Anfield on October 15^th, the pair were seen squaring up and arguing. The only witness that said they heard any kind of racist language was Evra himself.

However upon learning of Evra’s accusation, the FA opened an inquiry and charged Suarez. This was where Liverpool FC began their slippery slide towards shame.

In an interview Dalglish confirmed that they were unsurprisingly supporting Suarez, but then incredibly pointed the finger at Evra. He accused the Frenchman of lying and then demanded that he apologise. A very serious accusation had been made against Suarez, and though it was understandable that Dalglish wished to emphasise his support of his player, it was deeply unwise to further increase the tension by making such a brash statement. It was a reckless comment by Dalglish at a time when everybody should have been looking to return to normality and leave the issue in the hands of the FA.

Dalglish’s comments were daft, but the Liverpool supporters made the same mistake and left themselves very open to criticism by printing t-shirts saying “Evra is a liar” in November. Facebook groups began appearing labelling Evra a liar amongst other things. Much like Dalglish, the intention was to show support for Luis Suarez, but it was made in a very unsavoury way. Put simply, they were accusing the accuser, when nobody but the two involved had much of an idea about what had actually happened. It was a dangerous step to take.

Whilst Liverpool were stirring a bubbling pot, Manchester United made very few comments on the issue, and left it to the investigators. Even before the hearing had begun, it was obvious which club had taken the correct stance.

On 20^th December the FA found Suarez guilty and handed the striker a £40,000 fine and an eight match ban.

Dalglish claimed they would await the official verdict before making any comment, but the Liverpool players showed a deplorable lack of class by donning t-shirts prior to their fixture at Wigan, with an image of Suarez on the front, claiming that they were supporting him. Suarez had just been found guilty of using racist language, one of the most serious crimes in modern football. They were openly showing their support for a racist.

The verdict was released and it seemed to show that there was adequate reasoning behind the decision, and that the evidence backed up Evra, but not Suarez. Evra was deemed a credible and trustworthy witness, whilst Suarez’s testimony wasn’t consistent with video evidence. Liverpool sent manager Dalglish, Director of Football, Comolli and player Dirk Kuyt to the hearing to give evidence in support of Suarez, but they all gave evidence that contradicted what Suarez had said, and to a large extent supported Evra’s accusation.

There was no longer any doubt that Suarez was guilty, and that he had used racist language.

Yesterday saw the final undignified move from Liverpool. Before their game against Manchester City, Liverpool announced in a petty, unapologetic statement that they would not be appealing against Suarez’s punishment, however that they also stood by their previous comments and refused to apologise.

English football has worked tirelessly in pursuit of the total eradication of racism from English football. Out of the blue racism once again reared its ugly head. The affair was dealt with in a very mature, efficient and extremely serious fashion by everybody in English football, apart from everybody at Liverpool FC.

Liverpool’s treatment of the accusation and verdict was childish, nonsensible and unapologetic. This was an extremely serious case, and Liverpool refused to treat it with the seriousness it required.

Everybody associated with Liverpool FC should hang their heads in shame. The behaviour of players, staff and fans has disgraced a great club. The lack of apology is quite frankly disgusting and sends the wrong message to outsiders. It’s tainted the image of both Liverpool FC and the sport of football.