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Ibrahimovic made PSG captain on return to Malmo

Reuters

Paris Saint-Germain appointed Zlatan Ibrahimovic its captain for Wednesday's Champions League tie at Malmo, where the big Swede launched his career.

Ibrahimovic played for Malmo as a teenager, helping the club achieve promotion to the top division in Sweden before sealing a move to Ajax in 2001.

He has never featured in a competitive match against his old side - until now.

He has travelled across Europe and played for some of the most prestigious clubs in Italy, including AC Milan, Inter Milan, and Juventus.

But his heart never changed destinations.

"I am from Malmo, wherever I go I am representing Malmo,” Ibrahimovic told the team's official website. "I have become who I am because of Malmo. Everything started in Malmo and I feel like a Malmo lad. I move in a Malmo way and I think I talk in a Malmo way. Everything is Malmo for me."

Ibrahimovic, now 34, booked out the main square so supporters could watch the match. Demand for tickets reached a fever pitch, with tickets to the 24,000-capacity Swedbank Stadion all bought up within 28 minutes of going on sale.

He sought to organise everything about the occasion, saying it is a "gift" from him to the city that made him who he is.

"Yes, I'm involved in all of it," Ibrahimovic told UEFA.com "It should feel personal, like something I've planned. I don't want it to feel like someone is using my name to lure people there. It's a gift from me. I've booked the square, I've done all the planning,"

Finally, he gets the chance to complete the circle of his fantastic career.

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