After announcing his retirement on Sunday evening, millions of people have spent the last few days reminiscing about Zlatan Ibrahimovic's career.
The former Manchester United striker, 41, has decided to hang up his boots and bring the curtain down on a playing career that lasted 24 years at senior level. His decorated career saw him play for some of the biggest clubs in the world and alongside some of the most famous names the sport has ever produced.
After starting his career at Swedish club Malmo, Ibrahimovic went onto play for the likes of Juventus, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, United and both Milan clubs, including two separate spells at AC. He also wrote his name into Swedish football history, becoming his country's all-time leading goalscorer with 62 goals in 121 matches.
His club career saw him play alongside some of the game's most decorated players, including the likes of Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho, Thiago Silva, Luis Figo, David Beckham and Hernan Crespo. Few can say they have played alongside such football royalty.
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Therefore, it was no surprise that Ibrahimovic, who spent just under two full seasons at Old Trafford between July 2016 and March 2017, decided to his name his all-star XI back in 2018, made up of players he had played alongside during his career up until that juncture. Taking to Instagram to share his team, the Swede had written down his XI in formation on a piece of paper, also featuring a substitutes bench.
Despite United being home to some of the most famous footballers the world has ever seen, the Reds were not the global force they once were during Ibrahimovic's time at the club, meaning none of his former Old Trafford teammates forced their way into his XI. However, goalkeeper David de Gea made his way onto the substitutes bench, only for Ibrahimovic to cross out his name in a brutal snub.
Ibrahimovic named former Juventus and Italy star Gianluigi Buffon between the posts, with Lilian Thuram, Silva, Alessandro Nesta and Maxwell making up his defensive line. Patrick Vieira, Xavi and Pavel Nedved formed the midfield while Messi and Ronaldinho flanked Ibrahimovic himself in attack.
Julio Cesar, Andres Iniesta, Fabio Cannavaro, Gennaro Gattuso and Clarence Seedorf made up the striker's substitutes bench.
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