You guys have challenged me to write an atypical article, something that would surprise you completely. Just like Gloria Gaynor, at first I was petrified, kept thinking I could never find « THE idea ». Then BOOM, a friend sent me a e-mail asking if, I have seen the last Chuck Norris facts. This is how the idea emerged to give you 3 reasons why Zlatan Ibrahimovic could (or should) be Oprah Winfrey guest.
1/ His story : Zlatan is a resilient child who became a soccer champion
Zlatan Ibrahimovic was born in Malmö, Sweden, to a Bosnian father and a Croatian mother. His parents arrived in Sweden in the 1970s hoping for a better life. They divorced when he was two. His father was a caretaker. His mother worked 14-hour days as a cleaner to support Zlatan, his older sister Sanela and a number of half-brothers and sisters. His parents divorced when Ibrahimovic was 2, and he spent a difficult childhood in the immigrant-populated district of Rosengård. His chaotic family inevitably attracted the attention of social services. The children were split up and Zlatan was sent to live with his father, an alcoholic. By his own account, Ibrahimovic said : « … I lived with my father all my life and at home it wasn’t like we had food on the table every day because my father was working. It was a tough environment and I’m very proud to be from this area…. » ; For Zlatan Ibrahimovic was a juvenile delinquent. he also reveals he was a bicycle thief and a school bully, but he developed an obvious talent for playing soccer. He made his professional debut at 17, and by 19 was already a star in Sweden. Step by step, sides by sides Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan and now PS he became the great Zlatan Ibrahimovic one of the best players in the world.
2/ His role modele : World champion Muhammad Ali
Medias often report that Zlatan Ibrahimovic has compared himself to boxing legend Muhammed Ali as ‘the greatest’, he also admits he is behind the former world champion in the pecking order. Have you ever seen broadcast archive footage of Ali before, during after his fights ? Well, just try once, and then check back Zlatan. Only then will you understand what he meant when he said : « My father always showed me Muhammad Ali stuff, and Muhammad Ali became like an example to me. He looked like a crazy man, talking a lot, but he was doing it in the ring also. So it was like, you can be cocky, you can have a big mouth, but you have to perform on the field. You have people, a lot of people in different areas, that talk a lot, but they don’t perform. They say things like ‘I’m the best’, but then don’t show it. But Muhammad Ali was. He’d say I will knock you out in the fourth round and he went in the ring and he knocked you out in the fourth round. »
3/ His emotional rock : Helena Seger
You may be familiar with the saying : Behind every great man there’s a great woman ? While it’s certainly not a requirement for career success, a supportive life partner can propel you professionally and make life richer and more meaningful. As mentionned above at 19, Zlatan Ibrahimovic , he was already a star in Sweden and Helena Seger didn’t need a piece of him to exist. Ten years older than Zlatan, Helena Seger a former children’s TV presenter and economics graduate from a smart middle-class background, was a successful marketing executive with her own country house and Mercedes sports car when they met. 12 years, 2 sons and billion’s later, Helena and Zlatan are still together. Nobody’s behind the scenes, but it is common knowledge that Helena Seger is the Only one person who has ever been able to calm Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Obviously she’s THE great woman I wouldn’t say behind, neither behond but beside the champion.
Of course, some people only see in him an egomaniac soccer player, but Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a great champion, a showman and It is my belief that he could definetely be a good host for lady Oprah Winfrey.
Mission accomplish for me dear readers, now your turn, pro and cons, who else would you suggest to be Oprah’s guest ?
I love what you say about his wife, I also believe that behind a great champion stand one female warrior. I will read
Great Hannah let me know what you think.
A fond avec Zlatan j’ai imprimé en gros l’autre soir sa super citation Prendre tous les risques n’est pas une option. C’est une obligation. Vue tout ce que tu nous as dis sur elle, je comprends pas qu’elle ai pas déjà sauté sur l’occasion.
Hum je vois que tu as su le trouver le sujet sur Zlatan GP, merci pour ce partage, je vais la copier/coller pour la transmettre à mon tour.
You know I don’t like soccer Grace but your idea is not bad even if I don’t think Oprah winfrey team would like this guy.
X
Okayyy Xavier, now I want to be sure, I really understand you, could you argue about why Oprah’s team would not like Zlatan ?
your choice of Zlatan does not surprise me but ultimately I didn’t think you’d be able to surprise us again on the world cup Brazil. Good post Grace
What a lovely and contradictory comment Anton. Smiles !
I Am Zlatan Ibrahimovic is the a good storytelling. Ibra is a model for a lot of young boys and it’s not bad.
Riccardo, I couldn’t say with certainty that Zlatan is a role model but I trust you because you work with many young people having a chaotic journey, so…Thanks for commenting !
Mi piace Ibra. You see the behind he’s not like every body see him. I challenge to read and review his book. Ci sei ?
Oooo Giovi, I don’t promise when I’m not sure to hold (well I try not). I could do it and if I do, it will be around fall. And since you challenging me, if I agree, you’ll have to send the book because otherwise I really have no reason to buy it. Smiles !
Without risk, there is no Zlatan. Je suis fan Grace et tu as gagné haut la main, je ne sais pas le dire en anglais.
Oooo another champion quote thank you Jérôme. Tu peux dire « you won hands down » par exemple.
Zlatan par ci Zlatan par là, another Z soccer player after Zidane we can’t hear nothing but Zlatan. I’m tired of soccer but I like your article.
CaroLINE
Thank you for reading Caroline, I know you’re tired of soccer. Sourires !
Awesome marketer and the play the BIG game with a BIG team who has the best marketers as well, he’s everywhere tee shirt, app, social media. I don’t like this soccer game but I like the champions. I don’t think Oprah’s audience of american women could like him, they are formated to like good looking players.
Philippe you (almost) said everything. I don’t the appareance is so important for the audience you speak, however I think the attitude do matter.
If he was in america maybe you could be like you say like Arnold Terminator but I don’t think Oprah is interesting about european champions Grace. I like him and you have make a good article again. Comment je peux dire la fille qui a des idées en anglais the girl with ideas ?
Dearest Michel, you raise an important point here, I don’t know if Oprah has already received Europeans, it should be researched.
Pour la traduction, la tienne est trop littéral, je te proposerais the smart girl or creative girl qui exprime beaucoup mieux, ce que je veux dire. A toi de choisir.