Has Zlatan Ibrahimovic Conquered Every League?

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has not been handed a new deal at Manchester United and one of the icons of world football is now in limbo, perhaps never to grace the top level again.

He suffered a cruciate ligament injury in United’s Europa League quarterfinal win over Anderlecht on April 20, and now his future is uncertain.

From Ajax to Juventus, Barcelona to Milan, the super Swede has starred for the biggest teams in world football.

He had a big impact wherever he played. Here, we track Ibra’s career, with ESPN FC’s correspondents reflecting on the mark he made at every club.

Swedes are often loath to put athletes on too big of a pedestal, but there’s a good reason for why they’re erecting a larger-than-life statue of Ibrahimovic outside the national stadium in Stockholm. With 62 goals in 116 appearances over 15 years, he is the country’s all-time leading scorer.

But his impact on the national team can’t be expressed in mere statistics. With Ibra on the pitch, Sweden felt they had a chance against anyone, and his qualifying goals were key in leading them to the 2006 World Cup and the Euros in 2012 and 2016 (he almost single-handedly secured the trip to France last year with three goals against Denmark in a playoff).

Other highlights include his ridiculous back-heel lob against Italy at Euro 2004 that salvaged a 1-1 draw, and THAT overhead kick in a four-goal performance against England in a friendly in 2012.

Ibrahimovic gave Sweden its biggest global star ever. When he retired from internationals after last year’s Euros, a statue was the only logical way to mark his legacy. — Mattias Karen

MALMO: Ibrahimovic was a very raw talent when he made his senior debut as a 17-year-old for his hometown club. But the talent was undeniable. The striker sizzled with displays of individual skill that had rarely been seen in the Swedish league, pulling off dribbles, back-heels and other tricks that often left defenders looking silly. Malmo were a rather mediocre team at the time, though, even getting relegated after his first season.

He dominated the country’s second division in 2000, scoring 12 goals in 26 league games to help them back into the top flight, before his third season when he was sold to Ajax. He left with a record of 18 goals in 47 games — and with the feeling that much greater things were yet to come. — Mattias Karen

AJAX: Zlatan arrived at Ajax as a scrawny teenager. Besides Leo Beenhakker, the technical director who had personally brought the Swede to Amsterdam, nobody believed he’d be better than any of the “true Ajax strikers” they had coming through their academy. It was even thought Mido, the princely looking Egyptian who was bagging goals left and right for at the time, was the bigger prospect. How wrong the doubters were. Zlatan became a goal-scoring machine, met his future agent Mino Raiola and left Amsterdam to conquer Italy, France and England. Without ever looking back.

Back in Amsterdam, nobody thinks ill of the rebel from Malmo. Every single Ajax fan is immensely proud to have had him in their midst for a few years. — Elko Born

JUVENTUS: There are few players who can win the affection of the fans despite taking the place of a club legend. When Fabio Capello benched Alessandro Del Piero for Ibrahimovic, only remarkable performances would placate the wrath of the fans.

Scoring with relative ease as he showed off his physique and confidence on the ball, it wasn’t long before the stadium began to chant the Swede’s name. Zlatan proved instrumental to the club’s success in winning the title and became a clinical finisher under the tutelage of Capello.

The striker’s second season resulted in fewer goals but many assists and while his performances in the big occasions proved frustrating, his ability to improve the side’s overall attacking play ensured another title for the Bianconeri and the affection of all Juventini. — Mina Rzouki

INTER MILAN: Whether it was taking four Sampdoria players out with a flick or coming off the bench to win the 2007-08 Scudetto with a brace on the final day, Ibrahimovic awed opponents and teammates alike in his time at the Meazza.

Criticised for flopping in big Champions League games and sold for a man (Samuel Eto’o) who would help Jose Mourinho won the Treble, “Ibracadabra” can point to three straight Scudetti, and a team that relied too much on his gigantic frame and nimble feet.

To be honest, it’s a surprise Inter players didn’t sit down and just watch him, he was that good. — Edo Dalmonte

BARCELONA: Ibrahimovic’s year at Barcelona wasn’t as awful as some may suggest. He scored 22 goals in all competitions as Barca won the title in 2010, including the winner in a Clasico.

Ultimately, though, he didn’t quite fit in and has openly admitted he clashed with coach Pep Guardiola. However, despite popular belief, there were no major problems with Lionel Messi and he’s been very complimentary about the Argentine forward since leaving the Blaugrana. After just one season he left for Milan, which was the best case scenario for everyone involved. So, not quite a Camp Nou disaster, but neither the success story he has been at almost every other club he’s played for. — Sam Marsden

AC MILAN: It may have been an all too brief two-year spell at AC Milan, but Ibrahimovic certainly left his mark. Scoring 56 goals in 85 appearances tells its own story, while he was pivotal in helping Milan lift the Serie A title in 2011. An influential leader up front, his flair, technical brilliance and ruthless desire to win ensured he had a huge impact.

The Swede revealed just last month that he didn’t want to leave in 2012, and so the big regret is that he wasn’t able to stay longer. Milan’s tweet and the subsequent reaction from supporters following his injury says it all, and it will be truly sad to see his career cut short as he continued to defy his critics. — Sumeet Paul

PSG: There is no player more synonymous with Paris Saint-Germain under Qatari ownership than Ibrahimovic.

The super Swede broke numerous records during his four years at Parc des Princes — including becoming the capital club’s all-time top scorer with 156 competitive goals and a third-highest assists total of 53 — and racked up 12 pieces of domestic silverware.

Ibrahimovic was PSG’s talisman during his glittering stay and his No. 10 shirt was iconic for fans of Les Parisiens and Ligue 1 alike. No player has done more for the French champions since Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) took over back in 2011 — perhaps ever.

Although he never publicly declared his love for Paris and PSG and his relationship with the domestic press was strained at times, generally speaking, he is fondly remembered in France. — Jonathan Johnson

MAN UNITED: Mourinho arrived at United concerned by the ability of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial to shoulder the goal-scoring burden, so signed Ibrahimovic to add goals, experience, leadership and a touch of stardust.

The return exceeded expectations — 28 goals, a match-winning display in the EFL Cup Final and plenty of swagger along the way. Ibrahimovic has been crucial and although Rashford’s rise has begun, the 35-year-old’s contribution has been hugely significant. — Mark Ogden