Zlatan Ibrahimović's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Zlatan Ibrahimović. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Zlatan Ibrahimović is a retired Swedish professional footballer, renowned as one of history's finest strikers. Celebrated for his exceptional technique, ball control, acrobatic goals, and physical prowess, Ibrahimović boasts an impressive record of 34 trophies. Throughout his career, he amassed over 570 goals, surpassing 500 at the club level, and remarkably scored in each decade from the 1990s to the 2020s, solidifying his place as a decorated and enduring figure in the sport.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1977: Surpassed Bianchi's record

In his final Ligue 1 appearance for PSG on 14 May 2016, Ibrahimović scored twice to become PSG's top scorer in a single Ligue 1 season with 38 goals, surpassing Carlos Bianchi's 37 goals in the 1977–78 campaign.

1989: Ligue 1's Top Goalscorer

Zlatan 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.

1994: PSG won Ligue 1 Title

On May 12, 2013, Paris Saint-Germain won the Ligue 1 title after a 1–0 away win against Lyon, their third title and first since 1994.

August 2004: Goal of the Year and Injury Incident

In August 2004, Zlatan Ibrahimović scored a remarkable goal against NAC Breda, which was later voted Goal of the Year. Also in August 2004, he injured Ajax teammate Rafael van der Vaart during an international match.

November 2005: Awarded Guldbollen

In November 2005, Zlatan Ibrahimović was awarded the Guldbollen, a prize awarded to the best Swedish footballer of the year.

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

In September 2007, Zlatan Ibrahimović played his 100th Serie A match and signed a new contract with Inter Milan until June 2013.

2007: Awarded Guldbollen

In 2007, Zlatan Ibrahimović was awarded Guldbollen (the Golden Ball) as the Swedish player of the year, beginning a streak of consecutive wins.

2007: Named in UEFA Team of the Year

In 2007, Zlatan Ibrahimović was named in the UEFA Team of the Year, highlighting his achievements in European football.

May 2008: Scored Both Goals to Secure Scudetto

In May 2008, Zlatan Ibrahimović scored both goals in a 2-0 victory against Parma on the final day of the 2007-08 Serie A season, securing Inter's second consecutive Scudetto.

October 2008: Scored Goal of the Year

In October 2008, Zlatan Ibrahimović scored a sensational backheeled goal against Bologna, which was later voted Goal of the Year in Serie A.

2008: Named Footballer of the Year

In 2008, Zlatan Ibrahimović was named both Footballer of the Year and Foreign Footballer of the Year for the second consecutive season, solidifying his status in Serie A.

December 2009: Won FIFA Club World Cup

In December 2009, Zlatan Ibrahimović and Barcelona won the FIFA Club World Cup against Estudiantes, adding another trophy to his collection.

2009: Named in UEFA Team of the Year

In 2009, Zlatan Ibrahimović was named in the UEFA Team of the Year.

2009: UEFA Team of the Year Selection

On January 20, 2010, Zlatan was selected in the 2009 UEFA Team of the Year, recognizing his performance throughout 2009.

January 2010: Scored against Sevilla

On January 5, 2010, Ibrahimović scored Barcelona's only goal in a 2–1 loss to Sevilla in the Copa del Rey. Also in January 2010, specifically on January 20, he was selected in the 2009 UEFA Team of the Year.

June 2011: Scudetto with Milan and Confirmed Agreements

Zlatan won his first Scudetto with Milan after a draw against Roma. All agreements between Milan and Barcelona were confirmed on June 18, 2011.

2011: Supercoppa Italiana Victory and League Goals

In 2011, Ibrahimović scored in the Supercoppa Italiana against Inter, helping Milan secure a 2-1 victory. He also scored Milan's first goal in the opening league match against Lazio.

2011: Part of the Serie A title team

In 2011, Ibrahimović was part of the team that won the Serie A title.

September 2012: Walk of Fame of Sports Honour

In September 2012, while in Malmö, Ibrahimović was honored with his name inscribed on the city's "Walk of Fame of Sports".

September 2012: Champions League Goal and Record

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 competition.

November 2012: Scored four goals against England

In November 2012, Ibrahimović scored all four goals in a 4-2 win over England, including a 35-yard overhead kick that won him the 2013 FIFA Puskás Award.

2012: Assists Leader in Champions League

In the 2012-2013 season, Zlatan ended up as the assists leader in the 2012-13 Champions League, providing seven assists.

May 2013: Ligue 1 Title and Top Goalscorer

On May 12, 2013, Paris Saint-Germain won the Ligue 1 title. He finished the season as Ligue 1's top goalscorer with 30 goals and was named Ligue 1's Player of the Year on May 20.

2013: FIFA Puskás Award

In 2013, Ibrahimović won FIFA Puskás Award for Goal of the Year.

2013: Named in FIFA FIFPro World XI

In 2013, Zlatan Ibrahimović was named in the FIFA FIFPro World XI, recognizing him as one of the best players in the world.

2013: Equaled season-best goal record

In April 2016, Ibrahimović equaled his season-best goal record from the 2013-14 season, scoring his 41st goal of the season in a 6-0 win against Caen.

March 2014: Goals against Saint-Étienne

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

August 2014: Trophée des Champions and League Goals

On August 2, 2014, Ibrahimović scored twice against Guingamp in the Trophée des Champions. Later in August 2014, he scored twice in the first league match against Reims and scored his first league hat-trick against Saint-Étienne on August 31.

September 2014: Became Sweden's all-time leading goalscorer

In September 2014, Ibrahimović scored his 50th international goal, becoming the Swedish national team's all-time leading goalscorer. He also made his 100th appearance for Sweden.

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

On 4 October 2015, Ibrahimović scored two penalty goals in a 2–1 win against Marseille, surpassing Pauleta to become Paris Saint-Germain's all-time leading goalscorer with 110 goals.

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

On 4 December 2015, Ibrahimović scored twice in PSG's 3–0 win over Nice, beating Mustapha Dahleb's record of 85 goals to become the club's all-time top goalscorer in the French first division.

2015: Season as top scorer

Ibrahimović ended the 2015–16 Ligue 1 season as its top scorer, the third time that he had done so.

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.

May 2016: Named UNFP Ligue 1 Player of the Season

On 8 May 2016, Ibrahimović was named UNFP Ligue 1 Player of the Season for the third consecutive year.

2016: Scored the match-winning goal in the 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: Became oldest player to manage 15 goals in a Premier League season

On 5 February 2017, Ibrahimović became the oldest player to manage at least 15 goals in a single Premier League season, scoring his 15th league goal of the season in a 3–0 win against Leicester City.

2017: Won League Cup with Manchester United

In February 2017, Ibrahimović scored two goals in the 2017 EFL Cup Final to clinch United's fifth League Cup and his second trophy with the club.

January 2018: Cavani surpassed Ibrahimović's record

In January 2018, Edinson Cavani surpassed Ibrahimović's record as PSG's all-time top scorer.

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

On 31 March 2019, Ibrahimović scored two goals from the penalty spot, reaching 515 career goals and overtaking Gunnar Nordahl to become the Swedish player with the most goals in football history.

August 2019: Nominated for FIFA Puskás Award

In August 2019, Ibrahimović's 500th career goal was nominated for the 2019 FIFA Puskás Award for Goal of the Year.

October 2019: Statue Unveiled in Malmö

In October 2019, a statue of Ibrahimović was revealed in his hometown outside Malmö's Stadion, the statue is 2.7 m tall and weighs almost 500 kg.

January 2020: Scored in each of the last four decades

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

September 2021: Oldest non-Italian player to score in Serie A

In September 2021, Ibrahimović made his first appearance for Milan since returning from injury and scored in a 2–0 win over Lazio, and in doing so, at the age of 39 years and 344 days he became the oldest non-Italian player to score a goal in the 123-year history of Serie A, breaking the record previously held by former Parma centre-back Bruno Alves.