Sweden seem to be doing just fine without the man who many believe to be their greatest ever player.
It was suggested that Sweden might struggle at their first major tournament since the 2002 World Cup without Ibrahimovic in their squad but they have a Round of 16 clash with Switzerland on Tuesday to look forward to.
Ibrahimovic has insisted that he’s not found it difficult to watch his country compete in Russia but, in true Zlatan fashion, he is adamant that he would have performed better than the current squad in the opening games of their tournament.
“In the beginning, the first games was different because I felt I can do it much better than them, obviously. And still I feel that,” the 36-year-old told ESPN.
“But there is a time when you say let them do it and let them enjoy because where I came from, I was not welcome. I was different. I came from a different background. And I went through all those things and I became the captain on my national team. I mean, bigger than that it cannot be.”
Ibrahimovic scores goals wherever he goes and his current spell with LA Galaxy is no exception to that trend.
In 12 appearances for the MLS franchise, Ibrahimovic has already scored on nine occasions and he’s clearly flourishing against significantly less experienced defenders and goalkeepers.
The latest brace arrived this weekend when the veteran centre-forward found the net while the teams were still being read out at the beginning of LA Galaxy’s clash with San Jose Earthquakes.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic strikes even before the commentator could read the line-ups#LAGalaxy#CaliClasico pic.twitter.com/zzuhEzORVq
— Stan Anyumba (@aNYuMBAke) July 1, 2018
And he got his second after just 25 minutes, when his free-kick from distance somehow found its way into the bottom corner of the San Jose net.
"I make haters become my fans. That is my problem." — Zlatan Ibrahimović pic.twitter.com/6QFVZGMKAm
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) July 1, 2018
While Ibrahimovic remains one of the greatest goalscorers in recent times, his side failed to see out the win as they allowed the Earthquakes to secure a draw with a Chris Wondolowski penalty with 20 minutes remaining.
