By Rizwan Rehmat
DOHA: Influential striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic yesterday said his three years at Paris St Germain (PSG) have given him a great deal of satisfaction, saying the Ligue 1 champions will continue to dominate the game since the Qatari owners have set out to become ‘one of the best clubs’ in the world.
Ibrahimovic, a key member of PSG since 2012, said: “I enjoy every time I come on to the pitch. I am doing more than good. Before I joined PSG, I knew it would be a big challenge for me. I knew that the club wanted to be something big, something great on the pitch.
“I am glad I came when they started this project. I was one of the first players here to bring the club to the top.
“I knew I would make history with this club. That is why I am doing it.
“I knew they want to raise the profile of the club. I have been at the club from the very start (of this project). Here everything is good. It is easy to train.
“When I came here, it wasn’t easy because I came from Milan and that was a different world.
“When I (eventually) leave this club, I will sit down, lean back and say ‘I was part of that project’. So for that I am very happy,” Ibrahimovic said in a conference call from Paris.
Excerpts from the Q&A with Ibrahimovic:
In the last few years you have dominated League 1. How would you describe your relationship with club owners? What is the motivating factor for the success of the team?
Answer: I have met the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani a couple of times. I find him very passionate about football. He wants the best. He really wants PSG to become the best side in the world. That’s why PSG brings the best players in the world. We don’t see him often but when we see him, he is more than His Highness for us because when you speak to him, you feel you are speaking to a friend. He is a like a family member. It is great to speak with him. He is very passionate about the game.
What’s your opinion on Sweden’s Euro 2016 group?
Answer: We are happy to have reached the finals of Euro 2016. We struggled a little bit in the group stage of the qualifying. After that we had fantastic games and then we finally reached our objective. For me personally, it was fantastic that we are in Euro 2016 and that I get to play in the event. I am happy with the group. I think no group would be easy. We are there now so we will enjoy every game. Every team in Euro 2016 will be difficult. We want to go far in this event, of course. That’s our mentality, that’s our focus.
Is it a possibility that you could be at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar as a manager of the Swedish team or the Qatar national side?
Answer: (Laughs). I don’t know what will happen (then). It is so far in the future. I don’t plan my future. I take it as it comes. I am sure I will enjoy the World Cup in Qatar. I think it will be an amazing thing (the World Cup in Qatar). So this is something I don’t want to miss.
It’s been a few years since PSG started camping in Qatar. What’s your view of your winter training camps in Doha?
Answer: I think to come to Qatar is great. I have been there a couple of times. It is a very nice place. We have good preparation every time we are in Qatar. We want to continue with our preparations in Qatar. We will be coming at around Christmas time. We will be playing a friendly against Inter Milan. Yeah, I am happy to be there, representing my team.
Will France 2016 be your last event or will you be going to Russia 2018?
Answer: When it comes to the national team, I have the Euro 2016. I am happy that we have reached Euro 2016. I will be playing. I will enjoy that. What happens after that, I don’t know. Whether I will be playing qualification for Russia, I don’t know. That is too far to know. When it comes to club, this is a new situation for me. Normally I have many years on my contract. This is something different as my contract ends next year. Something new for me. I am enjoying my football, physically and mentally.
How excited are you at being drawn against Chelsea in the Champions League?
Answer: To play against Chelsea is not an easy game. Although they are struggling but playing in Champions League is not an easy game. We have respect for Chelsea. We do not underestimate Chelsea even if they are struggling because they have great players. They have experience of Champions League football. I have to be honest I have not seen Jose Mourinho in this situation. Normally the whole world is seeing them battling for first or second places but this is something new. But with his experience, his quality, his vision, I am sure he will bring them out of this situation (Mourinho was sacked yesterday).
Do terror attacks like the one in Paris last month play on the minds of the players?
Answer: I don’t think so. I think the players are comfortable. The club makes sure everyone is safe, even their families. What has happened was tragic but life goes on. We try to best to play football. But the players have no fear. We play football and we are happy to play football. We live in a fantastic city. We play for a fantastic club. The club ensures things come together. There are no fears among the players.
How desperate are you to win the Champions League trophy?
Answer: I still have the possibility to win it. I am with a great team that can win the trophy. That is one of my objectives - to win the Champions League. My career is packed already. It is a huge challenge. I love to play with great players. Let’s see what happens this year. If not, I will still be happy with what I have achieved.
Would you look to play for a QSL club in the future?
Answer: I don’t know what will happen for the next season. I have a good relationship with PSG President Nasser Al Khelaifi. I don’t know what will happen as to how I will feel physically and mentally (when the current PSG contract expires). There could be a possibility.
THE PENINSULA
