Sometimes the very best players are surrounded by equally talented teammates, and together they are able to embark upon a domination of the footballing world. Look at Real Madrid of last season or the Barcelona sides of the last decade.
However, there are circumstances in which a mercurial talent is not blessed with teammates on the same skill level. This has happened on one too many occasions for one of the games greatest sons, but who ranks among the worst of Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s cohorts?
Marouane Fellaini – Manchester United
The big Belgian is surely the greatest footballing mystery of our generation. Image source: Twitter
Jesse Lingard – Manchester United
How is he a footballer? Seriously, how? Image Source: Twitter.
Johan Elmander – Sweden
Yeah, Ibra and Elmander were somehow in a team together. Image source: Twitter
Christian Abbiati – AC Milan
He had his moments, but don't let his haircut fool you, he was no Fabien Barthez. Image source: Twitter
Mathieu Flamini – AC Milan
He was 'meh', that is as kind as I can be. Image source: Twitter
Stephan El Shaaraway – AC Milan
El Shaaraway has talent, but he is in here just because of his ridiculous hair. Image source: Twitter
Pinto – Barcelona
He had the cushiest job in football cleaning Victor Valdes' goalkeeper gloves. Image source: Twitter
Jeffren – Barcelona
Yeah, we had forgotten about him too. Image source: Twitter
David Suazo – Inter Milan
He was a hit at Cagliari scoring 94 goals in 255 appearances, but only eight for Inter. He was probably star-struck by Ibra. Image Source: Twitter
Mido – Ajax
It's funny that Zlatan had to play with Mido. Image Source: Twitter
John O’Brien – Ajax
Between 1998-2006 he made just 86 appearances, meaning he was used almost as much as Arsenal's trophy room. Image Source: Twitter
Simone Fautario – Inter Milan
Spent three years with Inter, didn't play a single game, useless. Image Source: Google
Sebastian Larsson – Sweden
He plays for the doomed Sunderland, 'nuff said. Image Source: Twitter.
Memphis Depay – Manchester United
One of the biggest flops in United's history. Image Source: Twitter
Paul Pogba – Manchester United
For the money he is supposedly worth, he is the worst player Ibra has played with. Image Source: Twitter
Ibrahimovic’s incredible ability has, at times, been a direct antithesis of his teammates. Of course, he has played with Lionel Messi, but Ibra has been bogged down by some truly awful talent throughout his career.
This is most relevant when taking into account his time with the Swedish national team. Zlatan has not ever been able to hit the heights his own talent promised internationally because, unfortunately, he was not surrounded by players of a similar ilk.
For the Swede, while he has been surrounded by some incompetence throughout his club career, only his international exploits with regard to trophies has really suffered.
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