This isn’t close to being the best goal he’s scored this year. It’s just the best goal he’s scored this winter, which is only one day old.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYpgJgd0Fes]
Ellie Arroway has no words.
Of course, here is the actual goal:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cs6mcqLTzqU%5D
Granted, it’s the only goal he’s scored this winter, but with Ibrahimovic, you never know when a try like the first will go in. As was pointed out when he scored against England, the audacity of the attempt alone is to be admired.
Even as we become increasingly used to Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s special effects, it’s impossible to grow tired of them. And it’s impossible to be sanguine about somebody who can Nigel de Jong a goalkeeper one week only to overshadow it with headlines of “Ibrahimovic completes four-goal day with 30-yard bicycle kick.”
Just think about the insanity of that headline. It’s practically passive. The bicycle kick is overshadowing a four-goal day. Nobody does that.
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He may merely be one of the best players in the world, but at this point, there’s little doubt Ibrahimovic is the most entertaining. From the litany of chances he sets up for his teammates, to his dominance of Paris Saint-Germain’s attack, to an 18-goal haul that has turned Ligue 1‘s goal scoring race into Serie A, Ibrahimovic has made PSG (and by extension, France) into must see soccer TV.
It’s part of the reason you don’t hear more complaints from France about PSG’s open wallet. Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulus has articulated this best, but there is a feeling from other clubs that the Parisians are capable of lifting the whole league. Teams like Lyon and Marseille just have to figure out new ways to keep up as PSG, thanks to acquisitions like Ibrahimovic’s, raise the profile of the entire circuit.
Just consider how often you’re heard about PSG since Ibrahimovic moved from Milan. Thanks to “Ibra,” PSG is a constant feature on this blog. Granted, we did cover France last year, but the coverage has been amped up. Last week, there was both preview and post-match coverage of PSG-Lyon. If Ibrahimovic wasn’t involved, the coverage may have looked more like this morning’s Arsenal analysis.
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Ibrahimovic is the most entertaining player in the world. It’s not even close, and given his goal against England came too late to qualify for this year’s Puskas Award, I propose we create an award, nominate one player, and throw a huge party so we can listen to Zlatan Ibrahimovic talk about how is by far the most entertaining player on the planet.
Because after yesterday’s almost-goal, I’m willing to listen. To all his ideas. Forever.
Oh: PSG went on to beat Brest 3-0, they have a five-match winning streak, and Carlo Ancelotti’s probably not going to be fired.
