Zlatan Ibrahimovic was an integral part of the Serie A-winning Juventus side in 2005, and his powerful powerformances and 16 goals earned him a European Footballer of the Year nomination.

Ibrahimovic joined Juve for £12million after three successful years at Ajax in Holland, where he won the Dutch league title, as well as the Cup and SuperCup.

At international level Ibrahimovic is a well-established member of the Sweden side and has struck up a formidable relationship with Barcelona striker Henrik Larsson.

Both men were on the scoresheet in the crucial win over Finland that guaranteed Sweden's qualification as Europe's best runner-up.

Although born a Bosnian-Croat, Ibrahimovic has adopted Sweden as his home country and produced a number of top-drawer performances for his nation.

Despite his height and power Ibrahimovic is admired for his technical ability with the ball on the floor, and he has even drawn comparisons with Marco van Basten.

After many felt that the hot-headed 24-year-old was failing to fulfil his awesome potential, Ibrahimovic seems to be enjoying life in Turin with Juve, and will be a key figure if Sweden are to improve on their second-round elimination in the last World Cup.