Zlatan Ibrahimovic insisted he does not need to win the Ballon d Or to prove the Milan star is the best.
Ibrahimovic has won league titles with Ajax, Inter, Barcelona, Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United, though the Swedish forward has never claimed the Ballon d Or.
The evergreen 40-year-old continues to produce for Milan in his second spell at San Siro, where the Rossoneri are dreaming of their first Scudetto since Ibrahimovic helped deliver silverware in 2010-11.
Ibrahimovic s outspoken agent Mino Raiola said he cannot take the Ballon d Or seriously due to the fact the Sweden international has never received the prized individual honour.
But during a presentation for his new book Adrenaline in Milan on Sunday, Ibrahimovic was quoted as saying: The Ballon d Or is a nice thing. But I don t need it to prove that I am the best.
The event took place after Ibrahimovic scored his 300th league goal across Europe s top five leagues in Saturday s last-gasp 1-1 Serie A draw at Udinese.
Ibrahimovic came to Milan s rescue in spectacular fashion, his stoppage-time equaliser salvaging a point for the Rossoneri in what was his 450th appearance in the top five leagues – the Premier League, Bundesliga, Serie A, LaLiga and Ligue 1.
Only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have reached that mark previously in the 21st century.
It s the mentality. I train in the same way that I play, Ibrahimovic said of his longevity.
Every day is a final. It was difficult when I arrived at Milan [for his second spell], but we ve created a group. We ve created an atmosphere that is over the top.
Then there was the pandemic, but the staff here is great. I ve worked with other teams in my career, but this is really excellent. The group goes towards the same target. Unfortunately, we didn t win yesterday. I should have scored two goals.
Now, I wake up with pain every day, but I have adrenaline and I go on. This year, the adrenaline is for the Scudetto. Yesterday I scored a goal, but we didn t win and it hurts.
