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Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has toned down expectations of winning the Ballon d’Or despite calling his last season “the best of his career”.
The 33-year old finished last season with a Ligue 1 winner’s medal, playing a critical part in his team’s victorious campaign by finishing as the league’s top scorer for a second consecutive season.
Despite missing out on the World Cup then, he was named in the 23-man shortlist of contenders for the Ballon d’Or, with his 4 goals against Anderlecht in the Champions League being one of the highlights of the competition last season.
Last season was the best of my career: Ibrahimovic
Ibrahimovic told PSG TV: “I think I have just played the best season of my career.
“That's one of my objectives: to be better each year and always improve,” he added.
When asked about the FIFA Ballon d’Or nomination, he said: “I've been nominated, but it will be difficult because I didn't play the World Cup.
“A lot of fantastic players shone at the World Cup, so they'll have a certain advantage, but as long as I do what I can do, that I achieve results and I play at a high level, I can aim to win this award.
“That's what I try to do anyway day after day, by working again and again.”
Sweden, led by Ibrahimovic, were pipped to a World Cup spot by Portugal in the playoff last year. Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo played an instrumental role in that match by scoring a hat-trick.
He is the hot favourite to pick up the award in Zurich on January 12 after a successful 2013/14 season with Real Madrid and an explosive start to this season with 21 goals as of October.
A three-man shortlist for the award will be announced on December 1.
