Maximilian Ibrahimovic, Zlatan's son, is doing well so far with the Primavera team under the guidance of coach Federico Guidi.
The player has spoken in an interview about how his career has been going so far:
"When did I start playing football? I was nine when I started. I started pretty late. I started in a local club in France in Paris. I was there for a few years, maybe a year. Then, I moved to PSG's academy. After that, I went to United's academy," he told Sportbladet. "Then, when we moved to the USA, I played for a local club in LA. Then, for the last months, I played for LA Galaxy. Then, I moved to Sweden, played for Bajen (Hammarby) and after that, I moved to Italy and played for Milan."
Maximilian Ibrahimovic on Milan:
"I have had good memories everywhere. But, Milan is where I felt the most safe. Playing for Milan is very special. It's one of the greatest clubs of all times. There aren't many other clubs that can keep up with them."
He continued:
"The time I kissed the badge was when I scored against Inter. To score for Milan in a derby, that's very special. So, I can only thank them."
On playing football:
"I hated football until I was 11. I thought it was the worst thing ever. When I was 11 or 12, I started to like to play. I just hated it. Everything was wrong. I was always compared with my dad. So it was just wrong, but then I found my love for the sport. One day, I woke up and it just clicked. So, it just happened."
On the languages he speaks, Ibrahimovic said:
"I speak English, Swedish and Italian. I'm not that good in French."
Do you feel that you switch effortlessly between languages?
"There are times I don't know the words in two languages, but I do in the third. So, it is quite mixed. The cities I grew up in? Here comes a list: I grew up in Stockholm, Barcelona, Los Angeles, Milan. I might have forgotten something, but that's pretty much it."
Where's home for you?
"Sweden is my home and that's where I come from." (smiles)
Are you still in school?
"No. Not this year. When did I quit school? Last year was my last year in school. I have not finished the last year"
How were your grades in school?
"Actually good. They were good. But, this year has been intense and hard to manage school. Favourite subject in school? That's hard. It depends a lot on the teacher. But, language, I like language," said Ibrahimovic.
Do you feel like you have inherited anything, about those parts from either of your parents?
"My dad is really good at languages. He knows a lot, so I think I got it from him. What talent have I inherited from my mother? Everything else." (laughs)
What does your mother emphasise for you during your upbringing that is important to remember? What your dad has done is known by everyone. But, what does your mother mean to you?
"My mother is number one. She is very special to me."
Can you describe in what way?
"I mean, without her, the whole family would collapse, I would say. Is she my role model? Yes, in a way. I think she's the best. She's supporting both (brother) Vincent and me. She holds the family together."
Have you inheried a talent from your mother?
"Her intelligence, maybe? (laughs)."
Regarding football, who is your role model there? Ibrahimovic replied:
"I can't name just one. But, I love Leao, Neymar, and Ronaldinho."
Do you want to be the new Rafael Leao?
"I want to be myself. But, if I can do a lot of what Leao does, I'm happy. I get star-struck when I see him. He is very special. If I have a relation with him? No, I don't know him personally. But, we have trained a bit together and with the team.
How has that been?
"That's also special. The first times, it was like being a little kid in a candy store, like 'Wow. Wow. It's him.' Now, it's more common, I see them more as competition."
What has been the best part of having Zlatan as your father while growing up? Ibrahimovic Jr responded:
"Not much, I get good advice from him. That's pretty much it."
The natural follow up question, what has been the hardest part of having him as your father, growing up in his shadow?
"The hardest part is believing that you are in his shadow, to always think: 'Oh, okay, he did that, and he has many goals.' I focus on what I do and I don't compare myself to anyone."
When did you come to that realisation? Did you feel that you could disregard it and let it go completely?
"I mean, it's something I learned over time, so there's no specific moment."
Who is better, you or your little brother Vincent?
"Vincent, I mean, he probably has more talent than me. So, he will become a good player." (smiles)
Are you not just saying that to put extra pressure on your little brother?
"No, there's no pressure on him. He works hard every day and there's no talk about it. He'll be very special."
What's your dream in football? What are your goals? What do you feel reasonable for you to achieve?
"I want to win and be among the stars. I aim high and I want to be among the best."
Besides Milan, do you have a favourite team?
"It's just Milan that counts."
Which team do you support in Sweden?
"In Sweden? Wow. I don't know much about Allsvenskan (Swedish league). But, I would probably need to say Hammarby."
Favourite food for Maximilian Ibrahimovic?
"It depends on the day. But, you can never go wrong with pasta. Who cooks it for me? Either I do it myself or my mother."
What is your signature dish?
"Pasta doesn't turn out well when I cook it. So, there's no signature dish that exists."
What goes wrong when you cook pasta?
"I'm not that good (smiles). I mean, no. My pasta turns out completely stiff."
What is the best and most luxurious part of Milanello?
"Milanello is special," said Maximilian Ibrahimovic, "It's been there for many years. The facilities are the same as when Maldini and all those legends were there. So, they've kept that feeling in the buildings, with the 80's style. So, it's very special."
Who is the biggest star in today's Milan?
"Today's Milan has many stars. And many players that do it well."
You can't choose one?
"I can't choose. There is a lot of quality in all positions."
Who drives the finest car among today's Milan stars?
"I have no idea what cars they drive. You have to ask them about that."
You just turned 18. How's it going with the driving license?
"It's coming. I'm studying and working on it. But, it's not that fun and not that easy."
Who do you practice driving with at home? Your father or mother?
"My mother is nicer. But, I've chosen to drive with the driving school. They'll teach me because I think it's easier that way. Less drama."
Then, when you get your license, will you borrow and drive some of your father's sports cars?
"Not at all! I want my own."
