The Upshot Zlatan Ibrahimovic: get the milk, asshole (with Joel Golby)
Nov 25, 2025
Joel Golby, a British writer and cultural commentator, dives into the outrageous life of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. He recounts Zlatan’s wild childhood in Malmö, which included bike thefts and a hot-dog stand explosion. From his rebellious days at FBK Balkan to becoming a football sensation, Golby shares anecdotes about Zlatan’s time at Ajax, his notorious antics, and his iconic overhead kick against England. The conversation also touches on his turbulent relationships, gaming obsession, and the complexities of his legacy as a football icon.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Hot Dog Stand Explosion Prank
- Zlatan rented a car in his girlfriend Helena's name to plant a firecracker at a friend's hot dog stand as a prank that risked serious damage.
- The stunt embarrassed Helena and illustrated how his pranks sometimes harmed others.
Dangerous High-Speed Escapes
- Zlatan repeatedly drove extremely fast, once reaching about 300 km/h to evade Swedish police after speeding in a Porsche Turbo.
- Mino Raiola later convinced him to sell the Porsche and adopt a calmer lifestyle to progress his career.
Agent's Data-Driven Influence
- Mino Raiola used statistical comparison to persuade Zlatan to change his lifestyle and focus on training.
- That pragmatic intervention shifted Zlatan from flashy living to consistent performance and bigger transfers.
