Top 20 Goals of Zlatan Ibrahimovic's Career

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a legend of modern football, a goalscorer with a unique ability to score great goals in a multitude of ways.

Over the years, the tall Swedish striker has netted beautiful strikes at every stop, whether it's at the club or international level. After starting his career with Malmo in his native Sweden, Ibrahimovic has starred at Ajax, Juventus, Internazionale, Barcelona, Milan and Paris Saint-Germain, winning league titles and claiming individual scoring crowns at nearly every stop.

Here, B/R runs down 20 of his best goals, in no particular order.

Solo Stunner vs. NAC Breda

It was August of 2004, and a 22-year-old Zlatan was making a name for himself in the Netherlands with Ajax, whom he had joined from Malmo three years previous.

The young Swede raised his profile considerably with this goal, a truly exceptional individual strike against NAC Breda. In scoring, Ibrahimvoc showed off many of his talents, including close ball-control, confidence and lethal finishing.

Overhead Kick Against England

Eight years later, in November of 2012, Ibrahimovic stunned the world again with an outrageously audacious goal against England.

Ibra scored all four goals for his home country that day as Sweden defeated England 4-2 in an international friendly. The fourth was the pick of the bunch, a spectacular overhead volley that the striker converted from long distance and a nearly impossible angle.

The goal required magnificent technique and immense levels of confidence. Ibrahimovic possesses both, as this strike so beautifully reminded us.

Reggina Chip

In March 2009, Ibrahimovic netted this gorgeous chipped goal for Inter Milan in a game against Reggina.

Though the strike might appear somewhat pedestrian upon first glance, there can be no doubting the skill and precision needed to beat the goalkeeper with such a strike at that distance.

Volley vs. France at Euro 2012

Euro 2012 was not a memorable tournament for Sweden. Despite beating France 2-0 in their final group game, the Swedes departed the competition at the group stage.

Ibrahimovic, however, scored one of the tournament's best goals in that win over France. With the match scoreless early in the second half, the big striker used a deft touch and superior athleticism to net this excellent volley on the turn.

Free Kick vs. Zaragoza

Most remember Ibrahimovic's spell at Barcelona for his poor relationship with manager Pep Guardiola, but the Swede managed to score a few top-notch goals for the Camp Nou side nonetheless.

One such moment came in October of 2009. This goal, which Zlatan scored directly from a free kick, showcases the power with which he can strike the ball.

Impossible Angle

How did Ibrahimovic score from this impossible angle for Inter Milan against Bologna in October of 2008? Only the man himself will know. 

Extra style points for using the outside of his foot. An absurd show of talent.

No-Look Back Flick

The young Zlatan helped Sweden win Group C at Euro 2004, producing a memorable goal in the game against Italy.

With his side trailing 1-0 late in the second half, Ibrahimovic netted this no-look back flick to peg back Italy. As we'll see, the flicks would become a major weapon in the player's attacking arsenal.

Flick and Fire

After joining Juventus from Ajax in 2004, Ibrahimovic further bolstered his reputation with this wondergoal against Roma during the 2005-06 season.

The sequence started with Ibra flicking the ball behind his back to beat his defender near the halfway line. After accelerating toward the goal, he blasted an unstoppable shot past the goalkeeper.

Backheel Against Atalanta

Ibrahimovic won the Serie A title with Inter in 2008-09 and also claimed the Capocannoniere as the league's top scorer.

He secured the latter crown with this goal on the final day of the season, a cheeky backheel to beat Atalanta.

Long Range vs. Benfica

Long distance? Tough angle?

When you're Zlatan Ibrahimovic, those aren't obstacles. They're opportunities.

Watch and admire as the Swede crashes this powerful, long-range effort into the top corner at the near post.

Zlatan the Cannon

It must be nice for Zlatan to know that, when he needs to score from a free kick, he can simply kick the ball with as much force as possible.

This strike, for Inter against Palermo, traveled at the amazing speed of 124 kilometers per hour.

As a goalkeeper, you can't stop what you can't see.

Long-Range Belter

Here's yet another example of Ibrahimovic's ability to strike the ball with power and precision from long range.

In this clip, he scores a long-range belter for Paris Saint-Germain against Anderlecht in October 2013.

Thunderbolt vs. Leverkusen

Three Bayer Leverkusen defenders stood directly between Ibrahimovic and the goal during this Champions League game in February 2014. 

No problem for the PSG man, who curled a powerful and accurate shot into the top corner. No goalkeeper is saving that.

Distance and Precision

Another long-range shot, another beautiful goal.

In this clip, Ibrahimovic, playing for Milan against Lecce in January 2011, chips the goalkeeper from long distance. And he wasn't even facing the goal. 

How did he do it?

Stop and Go

This one is deceptively simple.

Facing Brescia during his spell with Milan, Ibrahimovic stops abruptly, displaying excellent ball-control, before firing a fierce shot into the top corner.

Kung Fu Kick

As we've seen repeatedly throughout his career, Ibrahimovic possesses an athleticism that allows him to make unbelievable plays on the ball from a variety of angles.

He showed it again for PSG against Monaco during the 2013-14 season with this kung-fu-style kick. The most impressive part of this goal might have been the ease with which Zlatan appeared to score it.

Scorpion Strike

During that same 2013-14 season, Ibrahimovic scored against Bastia with this side-flick into the top corner.

Most professionals would probably struggle to pull off such a difficult move on the training ground. Zlatan did it during a game and with seemingly no fuss.

Clasico Winner

As we previously noted, Ibra's spell at Barcelona was hardly the high point of his career. But against Real Madrid in a November 2009 El Clasico, the Swede scored the winner with this goal.

It was by no means his best strike ever, but it was a good finish and it came on a big occasion. For that reasons, it belongs here.

Clearance? What Clearance?

At this point of his career, Ibrahimovic is clearly free to do what he wants on a football pitch. That point was illustrated nicely by this goal for PSG against Nantes in 2014.

Clearance? Zlatan is not impressed.

That's Using Your Head

Admittedly, this is far from Zlatan's best goal. But it shows how massive a presence he is on the pitch.

In March 2015, Sweden defeated Moldova 2-0 in Euro 2016 qualifying. In the 46th minute, Ibrahimovic scored this goal with his head—without even knowing what happened.

All in a day's work for a true legend of modern football.