Zlatan Ibrahimovic Injury: Updates on PSG Star's Knee and Return

Paris Saint-Germain are without leading striker and talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic after he picked up a knee injury in the preseason. 

Continue for updates.

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Zlatan In Doubt vs. Montpellier

Tuesday, Aug. 18

Frederic Gouaillard of Le Parisien (via Gordon Brunt of The Score) reported that Ibrahimovic could miss his third straight match on Friday. 

"PSG have now confirmed Zlatan Ibrahimovic's knee injury has ruled him out of the season opener vs. Lille," wrote ESPN FC's Jonathan Johnson on Aug. 4.

The Swede had a sublime pre-season, as PSG swept to the International Champions Cup in North America, and looked sure to once again lead the attack in Ligue 1 and the UEFA Champions League.

Ibra was as dangerous as ever last season, scoring at will and keeping Edinson Cavani out of the striking position. He netted 19 goals in 24 Ligue 1 appearances, according to WhoScored.com. Ibra continues to prove himself as one of the most talented attackers in European football.

Despite his supremacy, Zlatan fuelled rumours that he could be on his way out of the French capital after admitting his tenure at the club might be over.

Bruce Archer of the Daily Express quoted the controversial player as saying his virtuoso performance in the French Super Cup "(might be) my last game for PSG," with Arsenal, Manchester United and former club AC Milan said to be interested in him.

Ibra is still one of the great strikers in world football, but with Cavani in the squad, PSG have options. With that said, the Uruguayan provides a different kind of threat to the one offered by the Swede, as underlined by Ibrahimovic's success as the league's Player of the Year in 2013 and 2014.

Zlatan is one of the game's most colourful characters, with no striker being able to match his self-confidence and mercurial instinct.

PSG will suffer without him and thus need to get him back to full fitness quickly.