FCBARCELONA.CAT

30.03.2010 13:36

Ibrahimovic's best debut campaign

Sandra Sarmiento

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has scored more goals in his first season with FC Barcelona than he did in his debut campaigns for Malmo, Ajax, Juventus and Inter.

The Swedish striker has not scored more than 16 goals in his first season at any of his previous clubs, but has bettered that at Camp Nou with two months of action remaining with 18 to his name.

Having scored in each of Barça's last three matches Ibrahimovic has rediscovered his goalscoring touch and has taken his tally for the season to 18 goals in 37 matches.

Ajax 2001: 8 goals

In his first year in Dutch football Ibrahimovic scored just six goals in 24 league matches and two more in the UEFA Cup, but his performances had made people sit up and take notice. While he may not have affected the top scorers' chart, the lofty forward showed why Ajax gambled on signing from Malmo.

Juventus 2004: 16 goals

Ibrahimovic's goals in Holland attracted several of Europe's biggest clubs and he chose to move to Italy and play for Juventus. In Turin the striker, whose hero was Marco van Basten when young, showed that he could play at the highest level with 16 goals in his first 35 games with the Serie A giants.

Inter 2006: 15 goals

Juve's relegation meant that Ibrahimovic was to move on and he was quickly offered the chance to stay at the top by Inter. Under coach Roberto Mancini he again shone and scored no less than 15 goals in his first 29 matches for the Nerazzurri.