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AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic turned 40 this Sunday and received wishes from all over the world on his landmark birthday. The veteran also received a special wish from World No. 1 tennis player Novak Djokovic whom he shares a fairly close bond with. "Where are you, Ibra, brother? Happy birthday to you. I wish you all the best. Of course, good luck, health and success on the football field, where you will, I hope, play for many more years. We love your crazy Balkan head. I hope we will. see you soon," Djokovic said in Serbian. Ibrahimovic was delighted upon receiving the video message and hailed Djokovic and talked about the similarities the two of them have.
“Nole is like me,” Zlatan reveals the similarities between him and Djokovic
The camaraderie between Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Novak Djokovic is known to all. The two share a close bond with each other and have regarded each other as a top grade sportsperson of their respective sports. Over the years, there have been various occasions wherein the two have spoken highly of each other. In a recent interview on his 40th birthday, the AC Milan forward spoke about the similarities between the two in their temperament. “Djokovic ? First of all he’s a Balkan head: when you explode you do well, when you get angry you do the best you can. You are more focused, more careful. When Nole plays and gets angry he brings out his best, and that’s how I feel alive,” Zlatan expressed.
Speaking about their temperament, both Ibrahimovic and Djokovic are very expressive on field. While the World No. 1 is seen smashing racquets, the AC Milan striker is often seen fuming at his opponents.
“He’s a complete athlete,” Zlatan hailed Djokovic
Besides drawing similarities between their temperament, the 40-year-old also hailed the World. No.1 tennis player. “He’s a complete athlete. The head, with little experience, is not there. With experience, the mindset grows. Nole is like me,” Zlatan added. Undoubtedly, the 2021 season has been phenomenal for the No.1 seed having equaled the tally of his arch-rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal by winning the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon Open. Djokovic came very close to winning the Calendar Grand Slam this season, however he lost the US Open final to Daniil Medvedev, which crashed his hopes to clinch the feat.