Ibrahimović is Sweden's top athlete
Monday 14 January 2008
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Zlatan Ibrahimović is the public's choice as Sweden's best athlete of 2007 (©Getty Images)
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Centre-forward Zlatan Ibrahimović has become the first individual footballer to win the public vote for Sweden's Sports Personality of the Year.
Golden boy
The Swedish international won the award, named the Jerringspriset after celebrated former radio commentator Sven Jerring, by claiming 31 per cent of the vote, leaving athlete Susanna Kallur in second place among a short list of ten. This accolade for the FC Internazionale Milano man comes after the 26-year-old was honoured as his country's Footballer of the Year for 2007, lifting the Guldbollen.
'Honoured'
"I wish to thank everyone who voted for me," said Ibrahimović. "I am surprised and honoured, and because this prize is decided by the Swedish people, it even tops winning the Guldbollen." The former Malmö FF, AFC Ajax and Juventus striker helped Internazionale land the Serie A title last season, and this term has scored eleven goals in 16 league games. He was also key to Sweden's efforts in qualifying for UEFA EURO 2008™, and has 18 international goals from 49 appearances. The Swedish FIFA World Cup heroes of 1994 and IFK Göteborg's 1982 UEFA Cup winners were the only previous footballers to be celebrated this way.
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