Career Timeline of Zlatan Ibrahimović: Major Achievements and Milestones

1989: Top goalscorer reached mark in French top flight

He ended the year as Ligue 1's top goalscorer with 30 goals, becoming the first player to reach that mark in the French top flight since Jean-Pierre Papin in the 1989–90 season.

1996: Signed first contract with Malmö

In 1996, Ibrahimović signed his first contract with Malmö.

1999: Moved to senior side of Malmö

In 1999, Ibrahimović moved up to the senior side for Malmö.

1999: Sweden U18 Debut

In 1999, Ibrahimović played four games and scored one goal for the Sweden U18 team.

1999: Started career at Malmö FF

In 1999, Zlatan Ibrahimović started his professional career at Malmö FF.

2000: Nordic Football Championship

Ibrahimović debuted in a goalless friendly draw against the Faroe Islands at Tipshallen on 31 January 2001 during the 2000–01 Nordic Football Championship.

January 2001: International Debut

On January 31, 2001, Ibrahimović debuted for Sweden in a friendly draw against the Faroe Islands.

March 2001: Deal Announced with Ajax

In March 2001, a deal was announced between Ajax and Malmö for Ibrahimović's transfer.

October 2001: First International Goal

On October 7, 2001, Ibrahimović scored his first international goal in a 2002 World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan.

November 2001: Adriaanse Sacked

In November 2001, manager Co Adriaanse was sacked, leading to Ibrahimović getting more playing time.

2001: Jersey Name Change at Ajax

In 2001, Ibrahimović changed the name on his jersey from 'Zlatan' to 'Ibrahimović' when he played for Ajax to honor his background.

2001: Sweden U21 Debut

In 2001, Ibrahimović debuted for the Sweden U21 team.

September 2002: Scored Twice in Champions League Debut

In September 17, 2002, Ibrahimović scored twice in a 2–1 victory over Lyon in his Champions League debut.

2002: 2002 FIFA World Cup Appearance

In 2002, Ibrahimović participated in the FIFA World Cup held in Korea and Japan, where Sweden was eliminated in the round of 16. He made two appearances as a substitute.

2002: World Cup Qualification

In 2002, Ibrahimović played his first competitive match, a World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan, scoring his first international goal in a 3–0 win, helping Sweden qualify for the tournament.

2002: UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualifying

In 2002, Ibrahimović played in two games in the 2002 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying campaign, where Sweden was ultimately eliminated.

2002: Represented Sweden at the FIFA World Cup

In 2002, Ibrahimović represented Sweden at the FIFA World Cup.

August 2004: Scored Goal of the Year and Injured Teammate

In August 2004, Ibrahimović scored an individual goal against NAC Breda that was voted Goal of the Year. In August 18, 2004, he also injured Ajax teammate Rafael van der Vaart during an international match.

September 2004: Goals Against Malta in World Cup Qualifier

On September 4, 2004, Ibrahimović scored four goals in a 7–0 victory against Malta during the 2006 World Cup qualification campaign.

2004: Represented Sweden at the UEFA European Championship

In 2004, Ibrahimović represented Sweden at the UEFA European Championship.

2004: UEFA Euro 2004 Performance

In 2004, at Euro 2004, Ibrahimović scored against Bulgaria and Italy, with his goal against Italy being named the best of the tournament. Sweden was eliminated in the quarter-finals.

2005: Juventus Breakthrough

In 2005, Ibrahimović had his breakthrough with Juventus as featured in the documentary "Becoming Zlatan".

2005: Shift in Playing Style at Juventus

In 2005, Ibrahimović's role in Juventus' attack changed, focusing more on build-up play rather than direct goalscoring.

August 2006: Completed Move to Inter Milan

In August 10, 2006, Ibrahimović completed a €24.8 million move to Inter Milan, signing a four-year deal.

August 2006: Debut for Inter Milan

In August 26, 2006, Ibrahimović made his debut for Inter against Roma in the Supercoppa Italiana.

2006: 2006 World Cup Finals

During the 2006 World Cup finals, Ibrahimović did not score as Sweden was knocked out in the round of 16 by Germany.

2006: Represented Sweden at the FIFA World Cup

In 2006, Ibrahimović represented Sweden at the FIFA World Cup.

2006: Joined Inter Milan

In 2006, Ibrahimović signed with Inter Milan and went on to win three consecutive Serie A titles with the club.

September 2007: Played 100th Serie A Match and Signed New Contract

In September 16, 2007, Ibrahimović played his 100th Serie A match. In 2007, he also signed a new contract until June 2013.

2007: Zlatan Court Funded

In late 2007, Ibrahimović self-funded Zlatan Court in his hometown Malmö, providing a playing mat, goalposts, lighting, and a fence.

May 2008: Scored Goals to Secure Scudetto

In May 18, 2008, Ibrahimović scored both goals in a 2–0 defeat of Parma to give Inter a second consecutive Scudetto.

June 2008: Euro 2008 Goals

In June 2008, during Euro 2008, Ibrahimović scored against Greece and Spain, but Sweden was eliminated in the group stage.

October 2008: Scored Goal of the Year

In October 4, 2008, Ibrahimović scored a sensational backheeled goal against Bologna, which was later voted Goal of the Year in Serie A. In October 19, 2008, Ibrahimović continued with his solid performances by scoring twice in an impressive 4–0 win at Roma.

2008: Donation of Nike Kits

In 2008, Ibrahimović donated new Nike kits to his youth club, FBK Balkan.

2008: Represented Sweden at the UEFA European Championship

In 2008, Ibrahimović represented Sweden at the UEFA European Championship.

June 2009: Goal Against Malta in 2010 World Cup Qualifier

On June 10, 2009, Ibrahimović scored in a 4–0 win against Malta in a 2010 World Cup qualifier.

July 2009: Negotiations with Barcelona

In July 23, 2009, Ibrahimović left Inter during their United States summer tour for negotiations with Barcelona. In July 26, 2009, Barcelona announced Ibrahimović would arrive and undergo a medical test on July 27, 2009.

August 2009: Competitive Debut for Barcelona

In August 23, 2009, Ibrahimović made his competitive debut for Barcelona. He assisted a goal and won the Supercopa de España. In his third appearance, he scored his first goal in Barcelona's La Liga season opener against Sporting Gijón in a 3–0 win.

September 2009: Last Second Goal Against Hungary

On September 5, 2009, Ibrahimović scored a last-second goal against Hungary in a 2–1 win for Sweden in their qualification match.

2009: Transferred to Barcelona

In the summer of 2009, Ibrahimović moved to Barcelona in a high-profile transfer.

August 2010: Signed with AC Milan

On 28 August 2010, AC Milan announced the signing of Ibrahimović on loan for the 2010–11 season, with an option to purchase him for €24 million. He signed a four-year deal.

December 2010: Scoring streak and comparisons to Marco van Basten

In December 2010, Ibrahimović continued his strong performance for Milan. On December 4th, he assisted a goal and scored in a 3–0 win against Brescia. On December 12th, he repeated the feat against Bologna, bringing his total to 13 goals with 8 assists in 21 matches. Following these performances in December 2010, he was compared to Marco van Basten.

2010: Confrontation with Pep Guardiola and Final Goal for Barcelona

In 2010, following Barcelona's Champions League defeat to Inter Milan, Ibrahimović confronted coach Pep Guardiola. He later scored his final goal for Barcelona on 14 August in the Supercopa de España against Sevilla. On 25 August 2010, he played his last match for the club.

June 2011: Confirmed agreement between Milan and Barcelona

On June 18 2011, all agreements between Milan and Barcelona were confirmed.

2011: Previous Serie A Title with Milan

In 2011, Ibrahimović was part of the Milan team that won the Serie A title, marking a significant milestone before their more recent victory in 2022.

2011: Supercoppa Italiana victory and start of the 2011-12 season

On August 6, 2011, Ibrahimović scored in the Supercoppa Italiana against Inter, helping Milan secure a 2-1 victory. In the opening league match of the 2011-12 season, he scored Milan's first goal in a draw against Lazio.

July 2012: Agreement to join Paris Saint-Germain

On 17 July 2012, Paris Saint-Germain reached an agreement to acquire Ibrahimović from Milan for a €20 million transfer fee. His contract included a net annual salary of €14 million.

September 2012: Scoring record in Champions League

On September 18, 2012, Ibrahimović scored in the Champions League match against Dynamo Kyiv, becoming the first player to score for six clubs in the UEFA Champions League.

October 2012: Goal Against Germany

In October 2012, Ibrahimović scored Sweden's first goal in a 4–4 draw against Germany in a 2014 World Cup qualifier, after being down 4-0.

November 2012: Four Goals Against England

On November 14, 2012, Ibrahimović scored all four goals in a 4–2 win over England, including a memorable overhead kick.

December 2012: Hat-trick against Valenciennes

On December 11, 2012, Ibrahimović scored a hat-trick in a 4–0 away win against Valenciennes.

2012: Euro 2012 Qualification Goals

Ahead of Euro 2012, Ibrahimović was named team captain and scored against San Marino and a hat-trick against Finland during qualification.

2012: Euro 2012 Finals

At the Euro 2012 finals, Ibrahimović scored against Ukraine and France, but Sweden was knocked out in the group stage. Despite this, he was named to the Team of the Tournament.

2012: Joined Paris Saint-Germain

In 2012, Ibrahimović joined Paris Saint-Germain, where he led them to their first Ligue 1 title in 19 years and established himself as a key figure in their dominance of French football.

2012: Represented Sweden at the UEFA European Championship

In 2012, Ibrahimović represented Sweden at the UEFA European Championship.

2012: Debut and first goals for PSG

In 2012, Ibrahimović signed with Paris Saint-Germain, stating his desire to win and be part of the club's history. He scored twice in his debut match against Lorient and later scored two goals in a win against Lille.

January 2013: Receives Number 10 Jersey

In January 2013, Ibrahimović was given the number 10 jersey for Paris Saint-Germain after Nenê's departure.

April 2013: Champions League Quarter-Final Goal Against Barcelona

In April 2013, Ibrahimović scored against his former club Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals, but PSG was eliminated.

May 2013: Ligue 1 Title and Player of the Year Award

In May 2013, Paris Saint-Germain won the Ligue 1 title, their first since 1994. Ibrahimović finished as the league's top goalscorer and was named Ligue 1's Player of the Year on May 20, 2013.

June 2013: Contract End Date

Ibrahimović's contract was set to end in June 2013, as per the agreement made in 2007.

August 2013: First goal of the season

On 31 August 2013, Ibrahimović scored his first goal of the season in a match against Guingamp.

August 2013: Hat-trick Against Norway

On August 14, 2013, Ibrahimović scored a hat-trick in a friendly win against Norway.

March 2014: Surpassed Carlos Bianchi's club record

On 16 March 2014, Ibrahimović scored both goals in a 2–0 win over Saint-Étienne to surpass Carlos Bianchi's club record of 39 goals in a season.

August 2014: Ibrahimović funds Swedish Football Team

In August 2014, Ibrahimović donated $51,000 to send the Swedish national football team for the intellectually disabled to the INAS World Football Championships in Brazil, displaying generosity.

August 2014: Trophée des Champions Victory and League Start

On 2 August 2014, Ibrahimović scored his first two goals for Paris Saint-Germain against Guingamp in the Trophée des Champions, securing his first silverware of the season. In the first league match, he scored twice in a draw with Reims.

September 2014: All-Time Leading Goalscorer for Sweden

On September 4, 2014, Ibrahimović became the Swedish national team's all-time leading goalscorer, reaching his 50th international goal in a match against Estonia.

2014: World Cup Qualifier Against Germany

In October 2012, Ibrahimović scored Sweden's first goal as they came from 4–0 down to draw 4–4 in a 2014 World Cup qualifier against Germany in Berlin.

February 2015: Ibrahimović's Famine Awareness Gesture

On February 14, 2015, Ibrahimović removed his shirt after scoring to reveal the names of 50 people suffering from hunger, raising awareness for famine in collaboration with the United Nations World Food Programme.

October 2015: Became PSG's all-time leading goalscorer

On 4 October 2015, Ibrahimović became Paris Saint-Germain's all-time leading goalscorer with 110 goals in all official competitions after scoring both goals from penalty kicks in a 2–1 win over Marseille.

November 2015: Euro 2016 Qualifying Play-off

In November 2015, Ibrahimović scored in both legs of the Euro 2016 qualifying play-off against Denmark, securing Sweden's place in the tournament.

December 2015: Became PSG's all-time top goalscorer in French first division

On 4 December 2015, Ibrahimović became the club's all-time top goalscorer in the French first division after scoring twice in PSG's 3–0 win over Nice, surpassing Mustapha Dahleb's previous record of 85 goals.

2015: Red Card Against Chelsea and Hat-tricks for PSG

In 2015, Ibrahimović received a red card in a Champions League match against Chelsea on March 11. Nine days later, he scored a hat-trick against Lorient. He also netted a hat-trick on April 8 as PSG reached the Coupe de France Final, marking his 100th goal for the club.

February 2016: Becoming Zlatan Documentary Release

In February 2016, the sports documentary "Becoming Zlatan" was released, chronicling Ibrahimović's early career from Malmö FF and Ajax to his breakthrough with Juventus in 2005.

February 2016: Scored against Chelsea in Champions League

On 16 February 2016, Ibrahimović scored the opener with a free kick in the 39th minute to help his team win 2-1 against Chelsea. This was Ibrahimović's 116th appearance in the Champions League.

May 2016: Euro 2016 Squad Inclusion

In May 2016, Ibrahimović was included in the final 23-man squad for Sweden at Euro 2016.

May 2016: Final Ligue 1 appearance for PSG

On 14 May 2016, Ibrahimović made his final Ligue 1 appearance for PSG against Nantes, scoring twice in a 4–0 victory and becoming PSG's top scorer in a single Ligue 1 season with 38 goals.

June 2016: Retirement from International Football

In June 2016, Ibrahimović announced his retirement from international football after Sweden's last match at Euro 2016, where they were eliminated in the group stage.

July 2016: Signed for Manchester United

On 1 July 2016, Ibrahimović signed as a free agent for Manchester United on a one-year contract.

2016: Signed with Manchester United

In 2016, Ibrahimović joined Manchester United on a free transfer.

2016: Represented Sweden at the UEFA European Championship

In 2016, Ibrahimović represented Sweden at the UEFA European Championship.

2016: Euro 2016 Qualification

In November 2015, Ibrahimović scored the winning goal in the home leg of the Euro 2016 qualifying play-off against rivals Denmark. Three days later, he scored both Sweden's goals of a 2–2 draw in Copenhagen to qualify the nation for the Euro 2016 finals.

2016: Contract extension with PSG

On 24 September 2013, it was announced that Ibrahimović had extended his contract with PSG, which would see him stay at the club until 2016.

2016: Scored match-winning goal in 2016 FA Community Shield

On 7 August 2016, Ibrahimović scored the match-winning goal for Manchester United in the 2016 FA Community Shield, securing a 2–1 victory against Leicester City.

February 2017: Oldest player to manage at least 15 goals in a single Premier League season

On 5 February 2017, Ibrahimović became the oldest player to manage at least 15 goals in a single Premier League season at the age of 35 years and 125 days.

June 2017: Manchester United announced release of Ibrahimović

At the end of the season, it was announced that Manchester United would release Ibrahimović at the end of his contract on 30 June 2017.

August 2017: Signed new contract with Manchester United

On 24 August 2017, it was announced that Ibrahimović had signed a new one-year contract with Manchester United and that he would be wearing number 10 in his second season with the team.

November 2017: Speculation of International Return

In November 2017, after Sweden qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, speculation arose about a possible return of Ibrahimović to the national team.

2017: Won League Cup with Manchester United

Exactly a week after his FA Cup debut, Ibrahimović scored two goals, a free-kick and a header (the winning goal), in the 2017 EFL Cup Final to clinch United's fifth League Cup.

March 2018: Contract terminated with Manchester United

On 22 March 2018, Manchester United announced that Ibrahimović had agreed to the termination of his contract.

March 2018: Signed for LA Galaxy

On 23 March 2018, Ibrahimović signed for Major League Soccer (MLS) club LA Galaxy.

2018: Joined LA Galaxy

In 2018, Ibrahimović joined the American club LA Galaxy.

March 2019: Became Swedish player with the most goals in football history.

On 31 March 2019, Ibrahimović reached 515 career goals, overtaking fellow countryman Gunnar Nordahl to become the Swedish player with the most goals in football history.

November 2019: Announced Departure from LA Galaxy

On 13 November 2019, Ibrahimović announced his departure from the LA Galaxy.

December 2019: Returned to AC Milan

On 27 December 2019, Ibrahimović returned to AC Milan on a free transfer.

January 2020: Scored in each of the last four decades

On 11 January 2020, Ibrahimović scored his first goal for Milan since returning, marking a milestone of scoring in each of the last four decades (1990s, 2000s, 2010s, 2020s).

July 2020: Made 100th appearance for AC Milan

On 15 July 2020, Ibrahimović made his 100th appearance for AC Milan (including his previous stint).

August 2020: Extended contract with AC Milan

On 31 August 2020, Ibrahimović extended his contract with AC Milan until the summer of 2021.

September 2020: Scored Milan's first goal of the 2020-21 season

On 17 September 2020, Ibrahimović scored Milan's first goal of the 2020–21 season in a 2–0 away win over Shamrock Rovers in the second qualifying round of the Europa League.

November 2020: Hinted Return to National Team

In November 2020, Ibrahimović hinted at a possible return to the Swedish national team, prompting manager Janne Andersson to discuss the matter with him in Milan.

2020: Rejoined AC Milan

In 2020, Ibrahimović rejoined AC Milan.

January 2021: Return from Injury, Goals Against Cagliari, and Confrontation with Lukaku

In January 2021, Ibrahimović returned from injury, played against Torino, scored twice against Cagliari, and had a confrontation with Romelu Lukaku during a match against Inter, which led to bookings and later a sending off. Following the match, Ibrahimović faced backlash for comments made during the confrontation, resulting in a fine of €4,000.

May 2021: Euro 2020 Squad Exclusion

In May 2021, Zlatan Ibrahimović was excluded from Sweden's UEFA Euro 2020 squad due to a knee injury sustained with Milan.

September 2021: Oldest Non-Italian Serie A Goalscorer

On September 12, 2021, Ibrahimović scored in a 2–0 win over Lazio, becoming the oldest non-Italian player to score in Serie A history, at the age of 39 years and 344 days.

April 2022: Assist Against Lazio and Serie A Title

On April 24, 2022, Ibrahimović assisted the winning goal against Lazio, helping Milan to the top spot in the league. Later, on May 22, Milan won the Serie A title, which Ibrahimović dedicated to his late agent, Mino Raiola.

July 2022: Contract Extension with Milan

On July 18, 2022, Ibrahimović signed a one-year contract extension with Milan, committing to stay for the following season.

2022: Won Serie A title with Milan

In 2022, Ibrahimović won his fifth Serie A title with AC Milan.

February 2023: Return to First-Team Action

In February 2023, Ibrahimović returned to first-team action for Milan after a nine-month absence due to injury.

March 2023: Return to Sweden Squad

In March 2023, after a one-year absence, Zlatan Ibrahimović was included in the Sweden squad for European Championship qualifiers, though he was not slated to start.

December 2023: Hired as Senior Advisor to AC Milan

In December 2023, RedBird Capital Partners announced the hiring of Ibrahimović as a new senior advisor to AC Milan.