Zlatan Ibrahimovic has revealed the advice he sought from Celtic legend Henrik Larsson at the beginning of his career, as he prepares to unveil a statue in his hometown.
Born in Malmo to a Bosnian father and Croatian mother, the LA Galaxy striker grew up in the tough Rosengard neighbourhood.
Today his rags-to-riches story will get a final flourish, with a bronze statue to be unveiled outside Malmo's home ground, where he started his career.
Ibrahimovic went on to play for some of Europe's biggest clubs, including Manchester United , Barcelona and Juventus , but along the way he sought the advice of another Swedish great.
"The statue means a lot," the 38-year-old told Expressen .
"That's my legacy. That's what I've been through, what I stand for. It will become a symbol for those who feel just like I did, a symbol that you can succeed no matter where you come from, no matter what you look like, even if you feel different or don't feel welcome.
"Not just when it comes to football, it stands for so much more than just football players.
"Everyone who feels they need support, needs power, energy: just look at the statue, or come to the statue. It's proof that you can succeed if you believe in yourself.
"I'm no bigger than anyone else, it could be anyone. It's as simple as that. I'm not chosen or special in any way, I fought and believed in myself.
"When I started my career, it wasn't like I had someone who'd gone before me that I could ask.
"I remember asking Henrik Larsson : ‘What should I do? How should I do it? Explain it to me’.
"He said very simply: ‘No one has been in your shoes, no one has been in your situation. What should you do? You'll find that path yourself’.
"So I had no one I could lean on, or talk to about this. No one could explain to me how everything worked.
"I had to find the balance myself, I had to build self-confidence and find my own way.
"In all these aspects I chose to be myself."
