Zlatan Ibrahimovic XI: 10 best players he has played with

Some call him a maverick and some call him outrightly arrogant and crazy. Call him what you want but, no one and yes, no one can deny the fact that he is one of the best centre forwards of his generation. A player who has stayed at the top of his game for almost a decade is surely no mug or a lucky chap from your local Sunday league.Zlatan Ibrahimovic is arguably Sweden’s greatest footballer and also one of the best players to grace this game. He has played for all the big clubs in Spain, Italy and France. He has unique distinction of being in FifPro XI and winning the Puskas Trophy in the same year. Ibra is one of the few players who can create something out of nothing with their brilliance and always have that one spectacular moment in their arsenal.He is a player who is an absolute treat to watch, even when he is not performing up to the mark. And as we say in his own style, ‘No one can #DaretoZlatan.’ Here is the best XI of Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s teammates where Ibra will be the 11th man in the side.

#1 Substitutes

Ibra during his Inter Milan days

A journeyman that Ibra has been over the years, it is indeed a difficult task to find a right XI. But what is more difficult than finding a starting lineup is the bench, they’re the players who have narrowly missed out of this illustrious XI.

Victor Valdes (FC Barcelona): The former Barcelona stopper was the obvious choice as the reserve keeper. He maybe one of the most decorated goalkeepers of the all time, but he is still some way short of getting into Ibra’s XI.

Thiago Silva (Paris Saint-Germain): The Brazilian is arguably the best centre-half in the world at the moment. But he had some stiff competition from some erstwhile legends that are greater in profile and also greater in terms of success achieved. Sadly, he can only manage a spot on the bench.

Marco Materazzi (Inter Milan): The versatile Italian defender was in his prime circa 2005-2007. He won two Scudetti with Inter and also the biggest prize on earth – the FIFA World Cup in 2006. He too only makes the bench.

Andrea Pirlo (AC Milan): The legendary Italian is on the bench for the only reason that when he played with Ibrahimovic at AC Milan, he had a disastrous season by his standards. His differences with Allegri and the manager’s favouritism towards Marco van Bommel, made him leave the Italian giants in the very next season.

Esteban Cambiasso (Inter Milan): The dynamic central midfielder was part of the famous Inter Milan side which won three Scudettis on the trot under Roberto Mancini.

Wesley Sneijder (Ajax): Sneijder was part of the famed Ajax side of early 2000s which was known for its flamboyance and maverick-like attitude. Sneijder, along with Rafael Van der Vaart, had a good chemistry with Ibrahimovic, despite Zlatan’s fallout with the latter.

Henrik Larsson (Sweden): The Swedish legend is considered by many to be one of best Swedish centre forwards of all time. He is only bettered by none other than his compatriot, Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

#2 Goalkeeper - Gigi Buffon

Played together – Juventus

Seasons – 2004-2006

Buffon is indeed one of the best goalkeepers of his generation and he is also very highly decorated in terms of trophies as well. Buffon and Ibra were the part of an all-conquering Juventus side of 2004-2006 who won back-to-back Scudettis in that period. It was by far one of the best Serie A sides of all time if it hadn’t been maligned by the Calciopoli scandal.

Gigi is a leader who likes to lead from front. The Italian stopper is a commanding presence in the box and his leadership skills are best displayed when he leads the ever so dominant Juventus side without letting them slack even for a minute.

Buffon is one of the few players who have tasted almost identical success for both, club and country, as he has won the biggest prize at both the levels with the Azzuri and Juve.

#3 Right Back - Javier Zanetti

Played together – Inter Milan

Playing years – 2006-2009

Javier Zanetti was the best right-back of this generation. He was of the rare breed of full-backs who were very sound tactically and defensively. Zanetti was a dream fullback for any side. The Argentine played with Inter for major part of his career and had a very successful career with them. He was nicknamed El Tractor for his industrious nature on the right flank.

It was always him over Dani Alves in this XI as there are already enough attacking stalwarts that are gracing this side. Almost all the defenders in this XI are rock solid and no-nonsense types.

#4 Left Back - Maxwell

Played together – Ajax, Inter, Barcelona and PSG

Playing years – 2001-2014*

Maxwell can be called as Ibra’s ideal sidekick because both of them have played with each other for four clubs during their careers. The Brazilian leftback has enjoyed almost similar amount of success as Zlatan and yet is highly underrated.

They played together with each other at Ajax, Internazionale, Barcelona and are currently playing together for French champions Paris Saint-Germain. Maxwell is an attack minded fullback and is here for his long standing association with our maverick. ‘A cross from the left and boom Ibrahimovic scores!’, this has been the norm for almost a decade now. Hence he was the obvious choice when a leftback had to be chosen.

*Maxwell didn’t play with Zlatan Ibrahimovic at two clubs. They are Juventus in 2004-06 and AC Milan in 2010-2012.

#5 Centre Back - Carles Puyol

Played together – FC Barcelona

Playing years – 2009-10

Carles Puyol is one of the toughest defender of all time. The strength, grit and sturdiness displayed by this Catalan legend is second to none. He is referred as ‘The Wall’ by Barca fans for his rugged defending. Puyol was a one club man unlike Zlatan, but the sheer amount of class brought in by this Catalonian is unparalled. He is the reason why Thiago Siva is on the bench and not in the starting XI despite playing only for a single season with Ibrahimovic.

Such was Puyol’s influence on the Barcelona side that his teammate and fellow centre-half Gerrard Piqye said, "He's someone who, even if you're winning 3–0 and there's a few seconds left in the game will shout at the top of his voice at you if he thinks your concentration is going." Now here are his browny points in the leadership department as well.

#6 Centre back - Fabio Cannavaro

Played together – Juventus

Playing years – 2004-06

The Italian by many is known as the most complete defender of his generation. His sublime composure on the ball, his tactical astuteness are his main strengths. Top it with his odd aerial prowess and his sense of anticipation and positioning. He was the ideal centre-back during his heydays. Cannavaro was at the peak of his prowess in the period from 2004-2010. He was at his majestic best in circa 2005-06 as he led Italy to their fourth World Cup crown in 2006.

Ibra and Fabio were part of the infamous Juve side of 2004-06. Both of them signed for the Bianconneri in the same summer and left the club together as well when they were relegated to Serie B due to the Calciopoli scandal.

#7 Centre midfield - Xavi

Played together – FC Barcelona

Playing years – 2009-10

Xavi is by far the best passer of the ball in the modern football. He can play as a deeplying playmaker or as a defensive midfielder. He can play very well in both the roles due to his excellent vision and pinpoint passing. He is a product of the famed La Masia academy and was a key player in the Pep Guardiola’s all conquering Barcelona side where he won all the possible tropjies that can be won at both club and for his country. Xavi is a one club man as he has played for Barcelona since he was 11 and also recently, he broke Ryan Giggs’ record of most number of apps by a player for a single club in UEFA Champions League.

The Barcelona man is the ideal central midfield player ahead of such a rock-solid rearguard to initiate the play from their own half. He pipped Andrea Pirlo for this role due to the fact that Pirlo wasn’t at his best during Ibrahimovic’s Milan days.

#8 Centre Midfield - Andres Iniesta

Played together – FC Barcelona

Playing years – 2009-10

He is such a gifted footballer that all the superlatives in the book are not enough to describe his creativity and passing prowess. Andres Iniesta is by far the best creative midfielder in the last decade or so.

His simplicity in the game is what outfoxes his opponents unlike Messi or Ronaldo who have all the tricks in their book. He along with Xavi, symbolizes the Tiki-Taka style of play. Midfield maestro like Paul Scholes has dubbed him as the best player he has played against.

He said: “I’ve never really been one for collecting shirts or anything. If somebody asked me I would swap gladly.

“But I’ve never really been interested in that. I have got Iniesta’s shirt and that’s a great one to have.

Now that sums everything up doesn’t it?

#9 Left midfielder - Pavel Nedved

Played together – Juventus

Playing years – 2004-06

He is loyalty personified and elegance defined. Pavel Nedved slots in at the left of the midfield. He was Juve’s talisman along with Alessandro Del Piero. He formed a lethal partnership with the deadly duo of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Del Piero. Despite his share of some controversies, Nedved was a fan favourite and is still revered by both the fans and his peers alike.

His tireless shifts down the left and his delicious crosses earned him the nickname as Furia Ceca( The furious Czech) in Italy. He won the World Player of the Year in 2003 and he was one of the few players who stayed with Juventus despite being relegated in 2006.

#10 Right Midfielder - Luis Figo

Played together – Inter Milan

Playing years – 2006-2009

The Portuguese legend has been chosen to play at the right side of the attack due to his chemistry with Javier Zanetti and Pavel Nedved’s presence on the left. Figo needs no introduction neither do his playing prowess. A versatile attacker capable of playing anywhere in the offensive positions on wings and also behind the striker as a support striker.

Figo and Ibrahimovic enjoyed a very successful stay at Inter as they won three Serie A titles with Roberto Mancini and one under Jose Mourinho. Figo retired in 2008-09 season while Zlatan made his move to Barcelona.

#11 Attacking Midfielder/False 9 - Lionel Messi

Playing together – FC Barcelona

Playing years – 2009-10

Here is the tormentor in chief just tucked in behind the Zlatanitor. Now this would be a dream forward line up with Messi playing off Zlatan in a two pronged attack. Pep Guardiola envisaged something along these lines but sadly it didn’t materialize.

Leo Messi is by far one of the greatest players of the modern generation, along with Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic sans his antiques. At 27, he has won four Ballon d’or awards which is a remarkable feat in itself.

Here is how the team would be set up