Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrated his 41st birthday on Monday.Most footballers that reach his age have already spent the past few years either in a dugout, studio or beach somewhere.But as Zlatan himself is always quick to remind the world: he’s far from your average footballer.Earlier this year the legendary Swedish forward said that he wanted to continue playing football until “someone better” than him comes along."I want to play as long as I can," Ibrahimovic told UEFA.com, per ESPN. "The reality is I'll play until I see that someone is better than me, so I'm still playing. The future is yet to be written."Zlatan after winning the Serie A title with AC MilanREGGIO NELL'EMILIA, ITALY - MAY 22: Zlatan Ibrahimovic of AC Milan celebrates with a cigar after their side finished the season as Serie A champions during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo and AC Milan at Mapei Stadium - Citta' del Tricolore on May 22, 2022 in Reggio nell'Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Chris Ricco/Getty Images)Zlatan went on to win the Serie A title with AC Milan before signing a one-year contract extension in the summer - despite the fact he was recovering from a serious knee injury.The veteran striker is yet to appear this season but is expected to return to action in the New Year.As it’s Ibra’s birthday, let’s cast our minds back to when he named his dream five-a-side team in 2015."I need no defenders, only attackers," Zlatan told UEFA, suggesting that every one would have to take turns in goal.

Which players did Zlatan name in his dream five-a-side team?

Ronaldo Nazario

Brazilian Ronaldo is Zlatan’s hero. He even had posters of R9 on his bedroom wall as a teenager.

“I don’t need to describe Ronaldo, ‘The Phenomenon’,” he told Discovery Plus.

“I always say you have the players that play the game, and the players that are the game. For me, Ronaldo is the game. When you watch him play, everyone wanted to play like him and become like him.

“The way he was moving, the way he did his step-overs, the way he did ‘the snake’. The way he was moving, for me he’s the greatest player through history, no doubt.”

Read more: Zlatan meets Ronaldo: When Ibra couldn’t take his eyes off his idol in Milan derby

Lionel Messi

Zlatan briefly played alongside Messi at Barcelona and saw first-hand why many in the game regard the Argentine as the best footballer in history.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Lionel Messi in Barcelona training

BARCELONA, SPAIN - APRIL 27: Lionel Messi (R) of FC Barcelona strands flanked by his teammate Zlatan Ibrahimovic during a training session ahead of their UEFA Champions League semi final second leg match against Inter Milan at the Camp Nou stadium on April 27, 2010 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)

Zinedine Zidane

The most graceful footballer ever? Zinedine Zidane was an absolute joy to watch. An artist with a ball at his feet.

Zinedine Zidane in action for Real Madrid

MADRID, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 19: Real Madrid's Zinedine Zidane controls the ball during a La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao on February 19, 2005 at the Bernabeu in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Zlatan was never not going to pick himself, was he?

Zlatan Ibrahimovic in action for AC Milan

NAPLES, ITALY - NOVEMBER 22: Zlatan Ibrahimovic of A.C. Milan celebrates after scoring their team's first goal during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and AC Milan at Stadio San Paolo on November 22, 2020 in Naples, Italy. Sporting stadiums around Italy remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Ronaldinho

A footballer who gave joy to so many fans around the world, Ronaldinho is arguably the most skilful player in history. Zlatan briefly had the pleasure of playing alongside the Brazilian at Milan.

Ronaldinho with Zlatan Ibrahimovic at AC Milan

MILAN, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 15: Celebrates of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ronaldinho of AC Milan after the second goal during the UEFA Champions League group G match between AC Milan and Auxerre at San Siro Stadium on September 15, 2010 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

Zlatan’s dream five-a-side team

Here's Zlatan's dream five-a-side team on paper:

Zlatan Ibrahimovic's Dream 5-a-side team

Terrifying.

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