The stage is set and the lights are about to go on. As Chelsea prepares to travel to Paris to take on Paris Saint-Germain for the first leg of UEFA Champion’s League round-of-16 tie, the spotlight is bound to shine the brightest on two individuals, in particular. Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho and PSG’s 33-year-old superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic.While the football match is supposed to be of the paramount interest, it’s hard to ignore the sheer proportion of the two personalities in question. Two massive egos, enough to eclipse the Eiffel tower is set to clash tonight at Paris.The two men, despite their apparent differences, seem to have more in common. Both are outspoken, fearless, slaves-to-their-own-whims and often misunderstood. The two share a lot of respect for each other dating back from their days together at Inter Milan, but you can be sure that no quarter will be given tonight out of respect. Why? Because that is what they are – Obsessive-Compulsive winners.As the two egos of epic proportions set to square off at the shores of the French Capital, we take a look at two massive personalities in all their glory, differences and similarities.
#1 The Special One vs The God
Perhaps no-one told Zlatan and Jose that humility is the trademark of a successful man. In fact, they seem to do success just fine without sobering them up with humility.
Both Zlatan and Mourinho, throughout his career have won a host of trophies and individual awards and have always found time to thank themselves for their achievements.
In this video, the Portuguese manager has no qualms over naming himself ‘The Special One’ after signing for Chelsea following his Champions League win with Porto. The charismatic manager went on to win two Premier Leagues, one FA Cup, two League Cups and one FA Community shield during his first stint as manager at the Stamford Bridge.
In this video, Zlatan, when quizzed over Sweden’s chances in the 2014 World Cup playoffs says, “Only God knows.”
The journalist wanted a response from Zlatan and replied, “Well it's a bit hard.”
He asked and he received, Zlatan handed him his much sought after response saying, “You're talking to him now.”
#2 Zlatan and Mourinho vs the referees
Unlike the fans, match officials for the PSG Chelsea match will be praying for a quiet match. If the prayers go unanswered, there is something they can count on. With Mourinho pacing outside of the pitch and the great Zlatan prowling inside, it will be hard to escape intimidation both on and off the field.
Both men are not evasive to throwing their overbearing personalities at the officials if decisions seem to be going the wrong way. Both men have turned the ‘looked down act of referee intimidation’ into an art-form through years of practice.
Here Mourinho is seen taking his complaints to the referee in a Real Madrid vs Real Murcia match in the La Liga. Sending the Special One-off was of little help as Mourinho continued his antics from the stands, before finally being dispatched to the dressing room.
Zlatan, on the other hand, seems to prefer humour over Mourinho’s tenacity. Watch Zlatan joke with the referee or rather call him the joke.
#3 Epic celebrations
Winners love to celebrate. That is a fact of life. At least winners are the only ones with the opportunity to do so.
The two love to win but they love to celebrate even more. Mourinho and Zlatan, in course of their illustrious careers have had numerous occasions to hone their skills. Who will be sliding on the grass punching the air following Tuesday’s match, only time will tell.
Till then, the similarities in the two men’s moment of joy is startling.
Zlatan may deserve extra points for starting his celebration even before he had scored.
#4 Interaction with the press
Both Zlatan and Mourinho have been darlings of the press throughout their careers. They give the quotes, they perform the antics and the press gets their news.
Both the Portuguese and the Swede have a fair idea of their own contributions when it comes to creating employment opportunities for the reporters interviewing them and neither seem to be shy of putting the press in their place when they deem it fit.
Over the years both characters have been part of some candid interviews and ugly bust up with the press.
In this case, Mourinho gets irritated with questions over Kevin De Bruyne, with a classic Jose Mourinho ‘See you tomorrow.’
And this! It’s just Zlatan being Zlatan with a reporter.
#5 Wise Advisors
Mourinho and Zlatan are legends of the modern game and in their minds they are wise. The two men have never held back from giving away pieces of their precious knowledge when asked for it.
Mourinho’s recently dished out precious advice Middlesbrough manager and former colleague Aitor Karanka on how to slay City in the FA Cup. Zlatan too had famously advised one Mario Balotelli to set of fireworks in the garden and not inside one’s house.
Here is the Chelsea manager giving out his precious advice to Tennis Star Andy Murray before a match against Roger Federer.
In this epic interview, Zlatan delves into his fountain of experience with the ladies to give Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard some advice on women and the reason he should move to another European club.
#6 A common hatred for Pep Guardiola
Zlatan and Mourinho both stand united in their hatred towards former Barca coach Pep Guardiola.
Mourinho shared an intense rivalry with the Spaniard while he was the manager of Real Madrid. On the other hand, Zlatan was a part of Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona team but the Spaniard never rated the superstar Swede and following a bust-up, Ibrahimovic moved to AC Milan and eventually to Paris Saint Germain.
Mourinho has always been adamant that Pep Guardiola’s Barca had always received favourable decisions for the officials due to the club’s proximity to the UEFA. Zlatan famously called Guardiola ‘a spineless’ coward after leaving Barca.
If Zlatan and Mourinho decide to meet up for a post-match dinner and Guardiola comes up in the conversation, it will be a cold meal indeed.
Here’s Mourinho losing it in an interview over comparisons with Guardiola.
Zlatan gives his mind about his time at the Camp Nou. He also expresses his admiration for Mourinho and says, “I will kill for Mourinho.”
