Zlatan Ibrahimovic named 'phenomenal' Premier League legend as the 'biggest influence' on his glittering career

Football legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic has picked one former Premier League great as the player that had the most impact on his storied career.

Although many disregard his claims of being the greatest of all time, it is undeniable that Ibrahimovic has enjoyed a highly impressive and successful career.

The Swede has won a nearly unbelievable 57 trophies and individual awards while playing for the likes of Manchester United, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain.

And while he no doubt mostly credits himself for all of his achievements, the football legend has picked out one player in particular as someone who had a massive impact on his career.

As Ibrahimovic's career was just in its early days, he secured a move from Dutch giants Ajax to Juventus, where he encountered Patrick Viera who joined the Italian club a year later after leaving Arsenal.

Although the striker had been at the club one year longer, Ibrahimovic revealed that Viera was quick to let his new teammate know what he thought about him and his talents on the pitch, and this helped him improve his game.

“When I met him at Juventus, he had a really different mentality from the other players I’d known,” Ibrahimovic told L’Equipe in 2018, via Football Italia.

“He was always on my back, I thought I was doing things right but it was never good enough. He showed me that you have to give more, want more.

“He taught me that we play as we train. That’s how it works: if you train well, you play well. I don’t need to tell you the player and the professional he was."

Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Patrick Vieira played together at both Juventus and Inter Milan. (Image: Getty)

After playing together at Juventus during the 2005-06 season, both men moved to Serie A rivals Inter Milan the following year after the Calciopoli scandal, and played together for a further three years.

“He was a phenomenal player who will remain in history, but I’m happy I knew the player and person. He deeply influenced my game by pushing me to give 120 per cent every day, every game," added Ibrahimovic.

“I’m not surprised he became a Coach, he already had that in him: his experience, his maturity, his way of helping others.

“He was always available to talk. He really helped a lot of players, not just me. There were big stars at Juve at the time, and to please them you had to give a lot, you got nothing for free.”