Dejan Kulusevski has paid tribute to Zlatan Ibrahimovic, describing playing alongside the 40-year-old for Sweden as an ‘honour’. The 21-year-old joined Tottenham on an 18 month loan deal from Juventus in January and has made an impressive start to his career in north London.
The Spurs winger has scored twice and notched four assists in his eight Premier League appearances thus far, and Kulusevski has revealed the role Ibrahimovic has played in his development; from being a mentor during his teenage years to playing alongside him at international level.
Kulusevski, whose parents hail from North Macedonia, also views Ibrahimovic as a pioneer for young players in Sweden who come from immigrant backgrounds. The AC Milan star who is of Serbian and Croatian descent became one of the country’s most loved and respected sporting figures, leaving a lasting legacy for the next generation.
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“For children like me, who come from a different country - and have blood from Macedonia, in my case - it’s amazing," Kulusevki told the Daily Star.
“Zlatan opened doors for us in Sweden that nobody can imagine. He really helped every young kid, kids (who were) outsiders because he showed everything is possible if you just want it. He dominated European football for many years, scored so many goals - and we really loved him.
“And, then, when I got older, he started mentioning my name and I was like a kid at Christmas. I was so happy and thankful. You don’t forget this because it’s a big thing just knowing that Zlatan likes me.
“And, now, I am his teammate in the national team and it’s different. You have to play, you have to perform, you have to help him and he has to help me. It’s lovely times!
“I listen to him a lot, taking his advice, because he knows what he’s talking about and he’s very humble and very funny. I also admire that he’s 40 and can keep scoring goals. It’s an honour to play with him.”
Despite the 19 year age gap between the pair, both have been included in Sweden's World Cup play-off against the Czech Republic next week. However, before the international break Spurs host West Ham on Sunday afternoon in a match crucial to both club’s aspirations of finishing in the top four.
Kulusevski will be in line to start against the Hammers and stressed how important the fixture is to his side with the east London club currently above them in sixth place, on goal difference. He added: “We’ve got to win and we’ve got to go hard.”
