Zlatan Ibrahimovic Calls Himself God Ahead of World Cup Qualifier

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has always been quotable, but before he and his Sweden team step out on Friday to take on Portugal in their 2014 World Cup qualifier, he has delivered another beauty.

The forward was talking to TV4 in Sweden when asked what the result of the qualifier would be, and at first Ibra's response was suitably neutral.

That quickly changed.

"

TV4 reporter—"Who'll win the qualifier?" Ibrahimović—"Only God knows" Reporter—"It's kinda hard to ask him" Ibra—"You're talking to him now"

— Nik Postinger (@nikpostinger) November 15, 2013"

Of course, context is everything, and it would appear that Zlatan was being humorous rather than serious with the reporter.

"

@JDilla19 @nikpostinger he was sarcastic, he's got a good relationship with the guy he was talking to and they like to joke with each other

— Seb (@Sebiniw) November 15, 2013"

Another journalist reporting the quote adds a laugh at the end to indicate the same:

"

Ibra: ”Only God knows.” Reporter at TV4 (@ekwall): ”Well, it's kinda hard to ask him.” Ibra: ”You're talking to him now hehe.”

— Johanna Garå (@johannagara) November 15, 2013"

Even if Ibra was joking, it takes a certain kind of person to be able to make that joke. Tongue-in-cheek or not, you won't be hearing Johan Elmander cracking that gag before the match.

Cristiano Ronaldo? Maybe.