In a new interview, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has opened up on the club he wanted to play for during his 24-year playing career but "fate had other plans".
Not many players can boast a CV like Ibrahimovic's. The Swede played for Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, PSG and Manchester United before ending his trophy-laden career at AC Milan.
At club level, Ibrahimovic scored a mightily impressive 496 goals in 827 games, including 48 goals in the Champions League; a competition he never lifted.
He won numerous league titles in France, Spain and Italy but Europe's biggest club prize always eluded him.
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However, that could have changed had he joined Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, who lifted the Champions League in 2013 and 2020.
Speaking in an interview with Sports Illustrated, Ibrahimovic was asked if a move to Germany was ever on the cards.
"Football in Germany is outstanding," he said. "I love the stadiums there because they are always sold out.
"Playing for a club like Bayern Munich would certainly not have been bad, just because of the club's history and players. For me, Bayern is one of the five biggest clubs in the world. I admire German football and the national team very much.
"They couldn't have afforded me (laughs ). But no, to be honest, there was never an opportunity to move there. It would have been nice - but fate had other plans for me."
The 43-year-old, who is currently a senior advisor at AC Milan, was asked whether he sees a future in coaching.
"I don't want to continue to be a coach because it's too much work for me," he said.
"You have to cover so many areas, find ideas and solutions, prepare for and follow up on games, coach. You work day and night. A year as a coach would feel like ten years to me. So that doesn't appeal to me."
Ibrahimovic was also asked to give his take on the idea that football has become less entertaining because of modern day tactics.
"Many coaches come with a philosophy and a style of play, and then the individual player becomes insignificant because everyone is forced into a tactic or system," he said.
"Of course, a coach's philosophies are important and you need him to manage the team. But I believe that the individual player is the most important part of the team. Because he goes out on the field and makes the difference. And in general, I don't think football is getting boring.
"In fact, I have the feeling that it continues to grow. You just have to be smart and not close yourself off to new developments."
Topics: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Barcelona, AC Milan, Manchester United, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain
Jack Kenmare