A motivational and very emotional speech. The tone is that of the older brother. Of the sportsman who came from the ghetto, who climbed the heights of international football with his bare hands, used to making his way with strength and talent. In its history, despite the braggart attitude, there is great suffering. He has learned to exorcise it in his own way: if you think he is just a fool, full of himself, you are wrong. That tough, unflappable, ‘bad’ and macho look and at the same time it’s the armor behind which he fought to get where he is.
Ibrahimovic’s monologue in Sanremo
Zlatan Ibrahimovic puts aside the role of surly champion with a huge ego, introduces himself in front of the microphone. For a few moments he stops playing the character that the Festival staff has sewn on him. For a few minutes it is no longer the man who never has to ask. He is at the center of the scene, he occupies it without any fear. He asks Amadeus to make room for him… He is impeccable, for the dress he wears and for the coldness he shows. It does not betray emotion. His voice is firm. And begins that monologue that hides a beautiful meaning.
Everyone already knew Zlatan before this festival so why did he come here? He came because he likes challenges, adrenaline and growing up. if you don’t challenge yourself you can’t grow.
When you take the field you can win or you can lose, I have played 945 games I have won many, but not all. I’ve won 11 league titles, but I’ve also lost a few. I have won many Cups, but I have also lost a few. I’m Zlatan even though I haven’t won all the games.
Failure is not a defeat but the beginning of a victory. It is not the opposite of success but a part of success itself. Ibra rattles off some figures of his career, from the games played to the goals scored, from the league titles he won to the Cups that he was unable to raise to the sky, up to penalties… even those he made wrong. And he takes pride in everything he has done, for better or for worse.
I am Zlatan when I win and when I lose. I’ve scored more than 500 goals, I’ve even missed a few. Few … A few penalties gone wrong, but failure is not the opposite of success: it is part of success.
Doing nothing is the biggest mistake you can make: I tell you something if Zlatan is wrong you can make mistakes too. Today you can make a difference: commitment, dedication, perseverance, concentration. I organized this Festival, which in its small way can be from Zlatan. Each of you can be Zlatan, it’s not my Festival and neither is Amadeus’s, it’s your Festival. That of the whole of Italy. Thanks Italy, my second home.
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