Zlatan Ibrahimovic: "I am Santa Claus - I am the one who brings gifts"

The big Swede is the gift that keeps on bringing after an outstanding return to AC Milan this year.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has compared himself to Santa Claus for the way he ‘brings gifts to all my 27 children’ – two from his native Sweden and his 25 AC Milan teammates.

The 39-year-old striker has scored a brilliant 10 goals in only six league games this season to help AC Milan climb to the top of the standings, sparking hope of a first Serie A title since 2011.

Zlatan’s impact since his return last January, along with Stefano Pioli’s appointment as manager, has been credited as a key factor behind the fallen Italian club’s rise back to the top of Italian football.

“I never ask for anything for myself [at Christmas],” Zlatan told SportWeek.

“I am Santa Claus. I am the one who brings gifts to all my 27 children: two are in Sweden and the other 25 are at Milanello.

“This year, huge congratulations for what we have done and what we’re doing. We’ve lost very few games. I don’t know if that’s thanks to me, but I did do something, I brought something in.”

Zlatan will hope to recover from injury in time for Milan’s return from the winter break. The Rossoneri will visit Benevento on January 3 for their first Serie A fixture in 2021.