Zlatan Ibrahimovic is already a bona fide star in the world of football with a story and personality fit for the big screen. Now, his life story will soon be the subject of an actual film.
Variety has reported that that biopic on the life of the Swedish football star is in the works. Based on his best-selling 2011 memoir I Am Zlatan, it is being developed by B-Reel Films’s Mattias Nohrborg, who is said to be a leading Scandinavian producer
It will be written by David Lagercrantz, who had also co-written the autobiography with Ibrahimovic. Lagercrantz is also known for writing the latest book in the Millennium franchise, “The Girl Who Takes an Eye for an Eye,” continued the report.
The story will track the football star’s journey from the suburbs of Sweden to international acclaim.
“Zlatan has had an unbelieving destiny; he was brought up in a ghetto where more than 90% of the youth end up being delinquents, and he made everything himself, he’s completely self-learned,” Nohrborg was quoted as saying by Variety.
He also said that the film will represent Ibrahimovic’s brashness, an aspect he is known for especially, on his social media. The Swedish player has come up with some gems over the years such as “Lions don’t recover like humans” to describe his quick injury recuperation.
The film’s estimated budget is 5 million euros and will be shot on location in the Swedish suburb of Malmö as well as in Amsterdam and Turin. Ibrahimovic himself is expected to either co-produce or be an executive producer of the film.
The Manchester United player is currently on another injury layoff and there are questions whether he will continue in the Premier League or seek a move to USA to play in the MLS.