Zlatan Ibrahimovic has described how "unreal" it feels to be immortalised in a statue in his homeland of Sweden, after he won his nation's Golden Ball award for the 11th time - ten of which came consecutively between 2007 and 2016.
The 35-year-old striker is set to be honoured with a 2.7m-tall sculpture by the Swedish Football Federation, for his services and dedication to the country throughout his playing career.
The monument will be built outside of Sweden's national stadium, the Friends Arena, in recognition of Ibrahimovic's 17-year long career and, in quotes published by the Daily Mail, the Manchester United star revealed how taken aback he was by the gesture.
The former PSG forwardsaid: "It feels unreal. Many are thinking 'Why him?' and so on, but after all the hard work over 15 years in the national team and 20 years in my club career, it feels like it's being appreciated.
'You usually get this after you die, but I still feel alive. When I die, this statue will live on forever."
The announcement was made as Ibrahimovic collected yet anotherGolden Ball award, for the country's best male player, and has set arecord that will no doubt stand the test of time with no other Swedish footballer winning the coveted national prize more than twice in a row, since its inception in 1946.
Ibrahimovic amassed 116 caps and 64 goals before calling time on his international career after Euro 2016, and his achievements for his country include captaining his side on 33 occasions, appearing at four Euro championships and two World Cups, and scoring all four goals in a 4-2 triumph over England back in November 2012.
Former PSG team-mate David Beckham sent a video message to congratulate Ibrahimovic on winning the award once again, before adding that he was pleased to see the forward plying his trade at Beckham's old club Manchester United.
Beckham said: "You're an amazing person, an amazing player of course, but I have also have the pleasure of playing with you.
PICS: #MUFC striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic collects his 10th consecutive Swedish player of the year award https://t.co/U2097qCnGi
"Zlatan is a player who has class, who always wants to win, and proved that at PSG. He was one of those players that it didn't matter if we were playing in an important game or on the training field, he wanted to win. If he wasn't winning, he was like one of my children.
"His passion, his love for the game has not changed, he's still one of the greatest players to have played the game, and I am happy now he is playing for Manchester United."
Ibrahimovic is set to return to United's starting line up in the coming days after sitting out the 1-1 draw with Arsenal due to a one-match suspension.
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