Quote of the day: Pinto

Ibrahimovic doesn't just shoot hard... He hurts people! Somebody should tell the president about this and I should get a pay rise.

José Manuel Pinto,
Barcelona player

more quotes and numbers

Vilanova: "There are no doubts about Ibrahimovic"

Barcelona assistant coach Tito Vilanova gave an interview to Catalan radio station Ona FM. Some excerpts.




Ibrahimovic
"People think that the first day you will already see the same level of performances as before. But it doesn't work like that. There are no doubts about his skills. He has won five leagues in a row in Italy, where it's not easy for a striker.

He will perform very well and he will bring us things we maybe didn't have before. I don't want to make comparisons with Eto'o. Eto'o had some extraordinary seasons at Barcelona and both are great players."

The new season
"It's impossible that we now already would be at the same cruising speed as we had at the end of last season. Besides that, one shouldn't forget that in our first league game, we played without Messi and Iniesta, probably two of the best players in the world."

Chygrynskiy
"We have seen Chygrynskiy play a lot and we have been following him closely for several months. Because of the way Shakhtar and Lucescu have been playing, it will be easy for him to adapt here. He can build up very good, with both legs."

Read more:
Vilanova: "Shakhtar comes very close to our style"
Vilanova: "Pep and I are ready for the bad times"

Ibrahimovic confident about the future

Ibrahimovic

Little by little I will show everyone that I'm an authentic crack!

Although for the moment the only thing that went 'crack!' has been my knee...

(click the cartoon to enlarge)

sources:
elmundodeportivo.es

see more cartoons here

Ibrahimovic relieved after first Barcelona goal

Ibrahimovic:
Scoring my first goal for Barça has helped me to take a huge weight off my back...

...more specifically thìs weight.

(click the cartoon to enlarge)

source:
cayecaturas.com
sport.es

see more cartoons here

Guardiola on Ibrahimovic, Chygrynskiy and Messi

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola commented on some players.


Ibrahimovic
"The only thing Ibra needs is time. It's a great player who didn't take part in the pre-season. But as he is so good, he won't have any problems."

Chygrynskiy
"It's a great transfer for us, but you will see it when he'll play. We had one place we had to fill up at the back, it's a Uefa Cup winner, still very young although he has already been playing in the Champions League for three or four years. It wasn't some crush. We knew a lot about him, we have asked around a lot, we have seen him a lot and I think he can help us. We should thank the club for the effort and now it's up to the player to show it on the pitch."

Messi
"He is clearly the best, he is always one step ahead of the rest and when he says 'I want to win that game', he wins it. He has to deal with the pressure of being the best and he does that in a very natural way. He has all the qualities the number one should have and I have never seen anyone like him."

Iniesta and Márquez
"They are both almost ready to reappear but you will have to wait for the second league game to see them in action."

Read more:
Guardiola: "Messi best player I will see in my life"
Video: Chygrynskiy at the Camp Nou
Ibrahimovic: "Soon I will be one hundred per cent"

Video Interview: Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Barcelona player Zlatan Ibrahimovic gave an interview to Spanish television channel Cuatro. He talks about Samuel Eto'o, Real Madrid and Josep Guardiola.

Video of the day: Ibrahimovic vs Athletic Bilbao

Swedish press covers offical debut Ibrahimovic

Aftonbladet, Monday 24th August 2009.

Erik Niva (sports columnist): "Leo likes Zlatan, that cannot be overestimated."

To the right:
"Follow the race for Ibrahimovic's 9 titles"

"He was perfect"

To the right:
Barça coach congratulates Zlatan after his debut: "He kept high level""

Ibrahimovic asks for extra training sessions

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Barcelona player Zlatan Ibrahimovic has asked for extra training sessions.

The Swedish striker would be aware that it will not be easy to adapt to Barcelona's 4-3-3, the movements he has to make and the way the ball circulates, and that he will have to make an extra effort if he wants to adapt to the system.

Ibrahimovic would therefore have asked Guardiola and the assistant coaches for more training sessions and, following the example of former Barcelona centre forward Henrik Larsson, he would also plan to watch a lot of videos to adapt quicker.

Read more:
Ten Things You Should Know About Zlatan
Ibrahimovic attracts Swedish socios
Guardiola supports Ibrahimovic unconditionally

Ibrahimovic attracts Swedish socios

Barcelona's official website has announced that more than 150 people residing in Sweden have become a socio of FC Barcelona since Zlatan Ibrahimocvic was presented as new Barcelona player on 27 July.

Barcelona has at this moment 430 socios in Sweden. With the exception of a few Catalans and Spaniards living in the country, almost all of them have the Swedish nationality.

you can become a socio of FC Barcelona here


Read more:
The eleven tattoos of Zlatan
Zlatan's cars
Ten Things You Should Know About Zlatan

Guardiola supports Ibrahimovic unconditionally

Speaking at a press conference, Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola has said that he will give Barcelona player Zlatan Ibrahimovic all the time needed to get to know Barcelona's way of playing:

"He can take all the time he needs to adapt,as long as he shows every day to be involved. I'm here to support him and the rest of the players, especially the new guys.

He can play bad as long as he wants and him adapting to our way of playing can take as long as is needed. The longer it takes, the more I will be at his side to help him. I'm not worried about that. He now just needs more minutes. I think he's ready to play an official game."

Read more:
Guardiola thinks Ibrahimovic will adapt quickly
Ibrahimovic: "The atmosphere was fantastic"
Messi, Henry, Keita and Puyol on Ibrahimovic

Ibrahimovic: "The atmosphere was fantastic"

Speaking to Italian sports paper La Gazzetta dello Sport, Barcelona forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic commented on his physical condition and on his debut on Wednesday:

"The important thing is that I'm back on the field. I had stopped for a month and have been training for one week. My physical condition is not the best and I'm still lacking some rhythm but at least I'm playing again.

What impressed me more than the numbers was the atmosphere, it was fantastic. I was not nervous, rather excited and happy. Here, everyone wants to make me feel good. They said that that night was a demonstration of the affection of the public. I'm having a hard time thinking of something better that has happened to me.

Every time you move to a new team you need to start from zero again to get used to the style. In Barcelona, it seems it is even more necessary. They have a very precise style, one that marks their identity. Adapting to that needs training and matches, which I still have not been able to do. It also needs knowing your teammates on and off the pitch.

Playing with Messi is a pleasure, it makes life easier. He gives you the ball in such a way that you have already done half the work. In Barcelona, everyone, youngsters or stars, wants the ball, in a natural way, they never hide. It's a pleasure to play this way."

Read more:
Messi, Henry, Keita and Puyol on Ibrahimovic
The eleven tattoos of Zlatan

Messi, Henry, Keita and Puyol on Ibrahimovic

Speaking to journalists after yesterday's training session, Barcelona players Messi, Henry, Keita and Puyol commented on new signing Ibrahimovic's adaptation.


Messi
"It was his first match and we have only had a few trainings together. I still have to get to know his movements, and he still has to know mine.

But he is a player with a lot of quality and he will adapt well to the group. Ibrahimovic has to do his job and we have to help him do so. He shouldn't think about the comparisons with Eto'o because they are different players. Hopefully, Ibrahimovic can also give us a lot of joy."

Henry
"There are always expectations about the new players in Barcelona, whether they're coming from the academy or not. He has already shown his class. He was involved in all the plays, luck was the only thing missing that kept him from scoring. Eto'o is already a part of the history of the club. It is not good to compare, now we have Ibra and we hope to win a lot with him too."

Keita
"He has spent a lot of time without playing. Alone, he cannot do anything, so the important thing is that he integrates well into the group."

Puyol
"The rival's centre-backs will not have an easy job marking Ibra. He is strong and fast, and he has technique. It's a shame he has the injury in his hand as it delayed his adaptation a bit, but soon he will be able to play without any problems."

Read More:
Ibrahimovic: "I'm angry I missed two chances"
Guardiola: "We have to be patient with Ibrahimovic
Guardiola thinks Ibrahimovic will adapt quickly

The Gamper, Ibra's Party

The day has come to enjoy the Swedish crack.

"Ibra Fever," as it is beginning to be known, has gotten a hold of Barcelona, as well as fans alike. "There is no better way than to present Ibra and open his debut at the 44th Gamper game," claims Xavier Muñoz from El Mundo Deportivo.

Perhaps this night would become one of the greatest nights for a Gamper. Having the likes of Robinho, Tevez, and Adebayor along with their ever growing squad applauding and welcoming back the Tricampeon to the field promises to shake and motivate azulgrana fans to fill the whole stadium. Its the game thats going to bring the most "bang" for the buck.

Ibra is probably going to play 45 minutes with a protective cover on his arm. Asked about his debut, he responded, "Of course I feel a little nervous. Everything is new and I still have to adapt. But I don't worry about it much. I know how good I am and I am confident."

"I will always try to play for the fans. And being along Henry and Messi at the front, Oh! I think that the fans will enjoy it." Asked about his future triumphs with Barcelona, Ibrahimovic responded, "You cannot just win here, you have to play beautiful football too. That is something that is a real motivation for me."

"Ibra's Party" will begin to be televised early morning, as preparations for the game will be underway. Before the game, the official presentation of Barcelona will begin. Fasten your seatbelts, we're in for a ride!

Ibrahimovic arrives two minutes late for training

Barcelona's official televison channel released footage of Barcelona player Zlatan Ibrahimoic coming two minutes late for yesterday's training session at 9 am.

The video shows Guardiola who walks nervously around, waiting for Zlatan to attend the morning training session at the club's Joan Gamper training centre.

watch a video here


Read more:
Ibrahimovic confident ahead of debut
Zlatan attracting Swedish tourists

Guardiola thinks Ibrahimovic will adapt quickly

Speaking at a press conference, Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola praised Barelona's new signing Ibrahimovic's quality and adaptation:

"Ibrahimovic has adapted well to the team and to the people. Today, at the Gamper, we want him to start playing so he can catch the rhythm he is missing.

I don't think it will take Ibra a lot of time to get used to us. He has a lot of class and is the type of player who can adapt to any system. I am confident that he will do so as soon as possible. The most important thing is that he gets some playing time, but he is a very intelligent player and has already taken in our tactics. When I first saw him play I thought he was very big and tall but had a lot of quality, like someone who was much smaller. He dominates all aspects of the game.”

Read More:
Medical: Green light for Ibrahimovic and Messi
Ibrahimovic confident ahead of debut

Ibrahimovic confident ahead of debut

Speaking to Swedish televison channel TV4, Barcelona forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic (27) explained how he is feeling before his predicted debut today against English Premier League club Manchester City in the Joan Gamper Trophy:

"Of course I am a bit nervous but I am not worried about my qualities. I know how good I am. I have a lot of confidence.

It irritates me a little that I have to play with my arm protected. But I just have to give everything. I always try to do my best and give something back to the spectators. It's the people who follow you and pay the expensive tickets and I think they will enjoy it."

Read more:
Medical: Green light for Ibrahimovic and Messi
Zlatan attracting Swedish tourists
The eleven tattoos of Zlatan

Zlatan attracting Swedish tourists

Before, England and Italy were the two countries which attracted football fans from Sweden, now a report by Sport shows how the arrival of Zlatan has enhanced the status of Barcelona in Sweden, where football is the most loved sport.

The arrival of new Barcelona star Zlatan Ibrahimovic has sparked new interest of Swedish tourists visiting Barcelona as a popular tourism destination. Nowadays, at Barca's training, several Swedish journalists show keen interest in the club and Zlatan.

Travel agents in Sweden have also shown drastic growth in tourism. Giving Street, a travel agency in Sweden, says that "we had never sold before the season. It has been crazy. We even have to say every day that we have sold out". Kliben Issa, another trader, adding that "we have sold more trips to Barcelona in two weeks than in two years."

The eleven tattoos of Zlatan

Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is known not only for his talent as a football player but also for his passion for tattoos. He has eleven of them drawn all over his physique, mostly relating to his family and beliefs and as good luck charms.
by: Xaviniesta


1- The most striking design, a red dragon on his back, is said to be a metaphor for his personality.

2- The symbols on his wrists known as the "Ibrahimovic Code" are actually the birth dates of his parents and three siblings.

3- When his son Maximilian was born he had his name written on his right arm.

4- His second son Vincent's name was later added to Maximilian's.

His sons' birthdays were also added to the "Ibrahimovic Code" on his wrist.

5- The family name Ibrahimovic is written in Arabic on the back of his right arm.

6- The tribal drawing supposedly symbolizes the family's good fortune.

7- His mother's name Jurka is tattooed on his left arm.

8- His father Šefik's name is on his right arm. His parents' names and the Ibrahimovic Code were his earliest tattoos.

9- The words "Only God Can Judge Me" on his belly supposedly show both his religious and rebellious nature.

10- He supposedly got this unique white ink tattoo for a commercial but later decided to keep it.

11- His latest tattoo is a drawing of two poker cards, the aces of hearts and clover placed near the dragon symbol as a good luck charm.

Read more:
Ten Things You Should Know About Zlatan
Bojan's first tattoo
Zlatan's cars

The customized shoes of Ibrahimovic

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo reports that Zlatan Ibrahimovic has started training yesterday with the football shoes customized by Nike. In the United States, he had been using red shoes because these darker ones didn't seem to fit at first.

At the internal part of the shoes, his own name is engraved, while at the external part the names and birth dates of his two sons are mentioned: "Maximilian 22 Sept. 2006" and "Vincent 6 March 2008". Ibrahimovc has shoe size 47.

Read more:
Zlatan's cars
Ten Things You Should Know About Zlatan