
Becoming Zlatan
Den unge Zlatan
Directed by
Sweden
2015
110 min
- English
- Dutch
- Swedish
Documentary
The decisive years of Swedish soccer player Zlatan Ibrahimović, told through rare archive footage in which a young Zlatan speaks openly about his life and challenges. The film closely follows him, from his debut with the Malmö FF team in 1999 through his conflict-ridden years with Ajax Amsterdam, and up to his final breakthrough with Juventus in 2005. Becoming Zlatan is a coming-of-age film that captures the complicated journey of this young, talented and troubled player as he becomes a superstar in the international football world. It’s a story about a young talent living under constant pressure: from teammates in Malmö who think he’s too egoistical and only plays for himself; from the tough managers at Ajax who send him to the bench, where he loses his self-confidence; and from his father, who tells the 18-year-old Zlatan: “You’re nothing. You’re nothing special until you’ve succeeded internationally.” Throughout his journey, Zlatan stays true to himself. When he finally succeeds in Italy, he also becomes much more private. Soccer superstar Zlatan Ibrahimović is an enigma, but in this story from his breakthrough years, he gives us a glimpse at who he really is – if even just for a moment.
Festivals
Credits
- Cast
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic
- Cinematography
- Jon Rudberg
- Caroline Troedsson
- Editing
- Jesper Osmund
Director's Statement
Zlatan is in many ways a riddle, despite having long been one of Sweden’s most discussed people. But during these years we followed him—right before his big breakthrough—we found a number of puzzle pieces saying who he really is.
- Sales
- AUTLOOK FILMSALES
- Production
- FREDRIK GERTTEN
Press

Fredrik Gertten
Sweden
I show the real world. But it’s the world seen through my eyes, and there are different ways to depict that.
Fredrik Gertten is an award-winning Swedish director and journalist, and founder of WG Film. His films BECOMING ZLATAN (2016), BIKES vs CARS (2015), BIG BOYS GONE BANANAS!* (2012) and BANANAS!* (2009) have met audiences in over 100 countries at leading festivals like Sundance, Berlinale, Hot Docs, IDFA & CPH:DOX. Swedish FairTrade banana sales went from 5 to 50% after the release of the BANANAS films. His latest documentary PUSH (2019) tackles the issue of rising property prices and global real estate speculation.
Selected Filmography

Magnus Gertten
Sweden
Born in Malmö, Sweden, in 1953, he studied Journalism. Co-president of the production company Auto Images, he has directed several documentaries, including BLADARAR (1999), TRUE BLUE 2 - THE WAY BACK (2002), GET BUSY (2004), ROLLING LIKE A STONE (2005), LONG DISTANCE LOVE (2009), and HARBOUR OF HOPE (2012). His most recent documentary, BECOMING ZLATAN (2015), has its Swedish premiere at Göteborg Film Festival in 2016.