Zlatan Ibrahimovic, a ‘living legend,’ is coming to the big screen.

STOCKHOLM, Sweden (AFP) – Despite the fact that he is still an active player, a new film releasing Friday attempts to chronicle the narrative of Swedish footballer Zlatan Ibrahimovic by concentrating on the star’s youth growing up in an impoverished district of Malmo.

Ibrahimovic, Sweden’s most successful player, is still playing for AC Milan at the age of 40. He is noted for his confidence and swagger, which contrasts with his generally more humble teammates.

He began his career with Malmo FF in Sweden in 1999 and has since gone on to play for famous clubs such as Ajax, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain, and Manchester United.

The film “Jag ar Zlatan” (I am Zlatan), which opens Friday, is based on the autobiographical book of the same name, but director Jens Sjogren told AFP that he intended to focus on the player’s early years.

“When I read the first chapters of the novel, I thought of my own youth,” Sjogren said, adding that by concentrating on the young Zlatan, the film is likely to appeal to those who aren’t only fans of “Ibra.”

“Even though Zlatan had a difficult upbringing, we’ve all been children and suffered with different things,” the 45-year-old filmmaker explained.

For Sjogren, it was critical that the film depict the narrative from the perspective of a child.

“We get to experience what he’s feeling, but if there are things he doesn’t hear or comprehend, we as viewers shouldn’t understand it either,” he added.