Missing out on World Cup could cost me Ballon d'Or: Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has toned down expectations of winning the Ballon d’Or despite calling his last season “the best of his career”.

The 33-year old finished last season with a Ligue 1 winner’s medal, playing a critical part in his team’s victorious campaign by finishing as the league’s top scorer for a second consecutive season.

Despite missing out on the World Cup then, he was named in the 23-man shortlist of contenders for the Ballon d’Or, with his 4 goals against Anderlecht in the Champions League being one of the highlights of the competition last season.

Last season was the best of my career: Ibrahimovic

Ibrahimovic told PSG TV: “I think I have just played the best season of my career.

“That's one of my objectives: to be better each year and always improve,” he added.

When asked about the FIFA Ballon d’Or nomination, he said: “I've been nominated, but it will be difficult because I didn't play the World Cup.

“A lot of fantastic players shone at the World Cup, so they'll have a certain advantage, but as long as I do what I can do, that I achieve results and I play at a high level, I can aim to win this award.

“That's what I try to do anyway day after day, by working again and again.”

Sweden, led by Ibrahimovic, were pipped to a World Cup spot by Portugal in the playoff last year. Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo played an instrumental role in that match by scoring a hat-trick.

He is the hot favourite to pick up the award in Zurich on January 12 after a successful 2013/14 season with Real Madrid and an explosive start to this season with 21 goals as of October.

A three-man shortlist for the award will be announced on December 1.