I. Am. De j an.
SWEDISH STAR KULUSEVSKI INSPIRED BY ‘HUMBLE’ ZLATAN IBRA SHOWED DOORS COULD BE OPENED FOR KIDS LIKE ME
DEJAN KULUSEVSKI has hailed ‘humble’ Zlatan Ibrahimovic as his greatest inspiration and influence.
From childhood idol to teenage mentor and now international colleague, Ibrahimovic’s part in Kulusevski’s rise cannot be underestimated.
is simply as the Juventus midfielder – signed by Tottenham on an 18-month deal with an option to make it permanent – revealed ahead of today’s derby against West Ham. Above all, the 21-year-old Kulusevski, whose parents are North Macedonian, views the 40-year-old AC Milan legend as a ground-breaker for future generations of immigrants in Sweden.
He watched in awe as Ibrahimovic, son of a Serbian dad and Croat mum, became one of the most spectacular and charismatic hitmen on the football planet. In doing so, the
prolific Swede blazed a path for others in the country to follow.
Kulusevski, with 20 caps, said: “For children like me, who come from a different country, it’s amazing.
“Zlatan opened doors for us in Sweden that nobody can imagine.
“He really helped every young kid, kids who were outsiders… because he showed everything is possible if you just want it.
“He dominated European football for many years, scored so many goals – and we loved him.
“And, then, when I got older, he started mentioning my name and I was like a kid at Christmas. I was so happy and thankful.
“You don’t forget this because it’s a big thing just knowing that Zlatan likes me.
“And now I am his team-mate in the national team and it’s different.
“You have to play, you have to perform, you have to help him and he has to help me. It’s lovely times!
“I listen to him a lot, taking his advice, because he knows what he’s talking about and he’s very humble and very funny.
“I also admire that he’s 40 and can keep scoring goals. It’s an honour to play with him.”
While the “humble” part may surprise a few, the rest will not – and on Thursday these unlikely pals will link up for Sweden’s World Cup play-off against the Czech Republic. Before that
Kulusevski looks to maintain his impressive start – two goals in nine games – for Antonio Conte’s North Londoners. The home fans appear to approve. They already have an Abba-based song dedicated to him.
And the respect is mutual. The former Atalanta prodigy admitted: “I love it, of course.
“All my friends send it to me and think it’s really funny. I actually like the song – and like that the fans are enjoying me playing.”
If catching him on the pitch is not sufficient for his N17 admirers, Kulusevski is also starring, with his girlfriend – Bosnia midfielder Eldina Ahmic – in a new sports-themed online show featuring Swedish couples.
He added: “It went out on Thursday for the first time. It’s very small. It’s not even on TV. They follow her life more. I’m just there, acting a little bit funny, maybe.
“It’s about what she’s doing and how it is to live in cities like Turin and London. It’s not about my football.”
Regarding that bit, Spurs’ outside shot to finish fourth and the visit of Europa League quarter-finalists West Ham, Kulusevski is relishing the challenge.
He said: “We’ve got to win and we’ve got to go hard.”