Sweden

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is getting his own statue outside the Swedish national stadium

Published Dec. 9, 2016 1:06 p.m. ET

Aaron West

Zlatan Ibrahimovic will have a statue erected in his honor after being named Sweden's top player for the 11th time.

Zlatan has won the award every year since 2005, with the exception of 2006, when it went to Arsenal’s Freddie Ljungberg. In honor of his 11th "Guldbollen", Ibra will be immortalized with a statue outside Stockholm's Friends Arena, where he scored four goals against England in 2012.

Former PSG teammate David Beckham sent Zlatan a touching congratulatory video message to commemorate the occasion:

Speaking about the honor, Zlatan said: "It's huge for me. Most people do not get a statue until they have passed away. After all the hard work for 15 years in the national team - and 20 in my club career - it feels like it is appreciated. The guy from Rosengard will get his own statue in the capital. A big thank you to everyone."

Swedish Football Association president Karl-Erik Nilsson had this to say: "The statue is a way for us to thank Ibrahimovic for his amazing efforts for Swedish football, but it is also a symbol for everyone to always be reminded and inspired by all he has done."

Hopefully the statue is of the bicycle kick he scored in that four-goal masterpiece against England.

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