ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC - SWEDEN

Date of birth: Oct. 3, 1981
Birthplace: Malmo, Sweden
Club: Juventus (Italy)
Position: Forward
International debut: January 2001 vs. Faroe Islands

In terms of pure entertainment value, Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be the player to watch at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

The Swedish forward is a true genius with the ball at his feet, able to bamboozle defenders with unique flicks and tricks on the field and score highlight-reel goals with relative ease.

The tall Swede displays exquisite ball control and incredible inventiveness in front of goal and is often compared to Dutch legend Marco van Basten. Ibrahimovic is one of the most feared forwards in the world, a magical player with such creative instincts that he alone lifts Sweden to a higher level.

The mercurial Swede, who makes his living in Serie A with Italian champions Juventus, began his career with hometown club Malmo. Ibrahimovic impressed during his three years at Malmo, so much so that English side Arsenal tried to buy out his contract.

Instead, Ibrahimovic made the move to the Netherlands when Ajax paid Malmo 7.8 million euros ($11 million Cdn) to bring the Swede to the Dutch league in 2001.

His first season in the Netherlands was a mixed success — he scored six goals and helped Ajax win the Dutch league title and the Dutch Cup — but he struggled to win a starting role.

The year wasn't a total writeoff, however: He made his national team debut in 2001 and was selected to play for Sweden at the 2002 World Cup.

After scoring 26 goals over the next two seasons with Ajax — and winning another league title in 2004 — Ibrahimovic moved to Juventus in a 16.9-million euro ($23.8-million Cdn) transfer just prior to the 2004-05 campaign.

That summer Ibrahimovic broke Italian hearts when he scored a late goal to help Sweden earn a key 1-1 draw with Italy at Euro 2004 —a goal that essentially knocked the Azzurri out of the tournament in the first round — but he won over Italian fans with his inspired and breathtaking play during his first season at Juventus.

Ibrahimovic scored 16 goals and dazzled teammates with his brilliant playmaking ability, establishing himself as one of the top players in the world as he helped Juventus win the Italian league title. Ibrahimovic's form did not go unnoticed — he was voted the Swedish player of the year in 2005 and finished eighth in voting for the FIFA world player of the year award.

This past season, he was limited to just seven goals, but Ibrahimovic set up countless scoring chances for his teammates as Juventus repeated as champions.

More important, Ibrahimovic led his country in scoring with eight goals in the qualifying round for the 2006 World Cup, including a four-goal effort against Malta.

After being limited to a couple of substitute appearances at the 2002 competition, Ibrahimovic will be at the heart of the Swedish attack in Germany.