Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s 10-year reign as Sweden’s best player ended by Wigan flop
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has become pretty used to winning awards throughout his career.
And he’s dominated the annual Swedish Player of the Year accolade more than any other.
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Zlatan has become pretty accustomed to the award down the yearsEPA
But in 2017 that has all changed.
After scooping the award for ten years in a row, Ibrahimovic’s dominance has finally come to an end thanks to the most unlikely source.
Many Swedish fans felt RB Leipzig star Emil Forsberg – the top assist maker in the Bundesliga last season – was the favourite considering Ibrahimovic’s long absence with a knee injury this year.
But instead the award has gone to former Wigan defender Andreas Granqvist.
Times Newspapers Ltd Granqvist had just a single season with Wigan in the mid 00s[/caption]
Granqvist beat off competition from Forsberg and Victor Lindelof to scoop the prize after helping his country to a shock victory over Italy in their World Cup play-off.
The centre-back was part of an impregnable Swedish defensive unit who managed to keep two heroic clean sheets against the Italians to secure their spot in Russia.
AP:Associated Press The defender celebrates after beating Italy[/caption]
But despite those inspired displays, fans couldn’t quite believe Granqvist – and not Forsberg – went home with the award:
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