The AC Milan striker believes his frankness has cost him the most prestigious individual award in football.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has consistently retained his place among the world’s top strikers over the past decade. At the age of 40, the Swedish star is still a major force in Milan’s squad, playing a key role in their return to the Serie A front-runners.
Having scored 500 club goals, Zlatan has already secured his place among the all-time greats. However, he is yet to win the game’s most prestigious individual award.
Speaking about the Ballon d’Or, the Swedish star did not shy away from criticizing their criteria for the winners.
“These are political awards. They want ‘Mr Perfect’,” he said.
“If you speak and say what you think you can’t get them.
“It’s easy to give them to Mr Nice Guy. It doesn’t change anything for me, it doesn’t make me better or worse.”
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have dominated the Ballon d’Or for more than a decade. The pair have won 12 Golden Balls, with Luka Modric being the only other player who has won the award since 2008.
Zlatan’s best ranking in the Ballon d’Or dates back to 2013 when he finished fourth. Ronaldo claimed the award in a controversial race that saw him edge out Lionel Messi and Franck Ribery.
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