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Zlatan sets eyes on first Golden Ball footy prize

The Local Sweden
The Local Sweden - [email protected]
Zlatan sets eyes on first Golden Ball footy prize

Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been nominated for one of the most prestigious awards in football, FIFA's Ballon d'Or or Golden Ball prize.

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The Swede is the Nordic nation’s top striker in history and also became the all-time leading goal scorer for his club side Paris Saint-Germain earlier this month.

He is one of 23 players nominated the FIFA Ballon d'Or award, which is handed out each year to the player considered to be best in the world over the last 12 months.

It is voted for by professional footballers and coaches as well as journalists.

The famously outspoken player has previously been nominated for the award, finishing tenth in 2013 and coming fourth last year.

Portugal and Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has picked up the prize for the last two years and is favourite to win again in 2015.

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, who has already won the award four times, is also on the shortlist.

Meanwhile Ibrahimovic’s coach at PSG, Laurent Blanc, is among ten men hoping to pick up FIFA’s prize for Best Coach.

The shortlist of candidates for the Ballon d’Or will be released on November 30th, ahead of a ceremony in Zurich on January 11th.

In the meantime, Ibrahimovic is busy preparing for two crucial all-Scandinavian games after it was revealed on Sunday that Sweden had drawn Denmark in the Euro 2016 play-offs.

He will also be back in Sweden next month for his club side PSG's next clash with Malmö FF. 

The forward grew up in the southern Swedish city and played for its home club in 1994-2001. He revealed last month that he was booking an entire square in Malmö to ensure that football fans could watch the game.

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