My relationship wit Zlatan Ibrahimovic as an Inter fan has a bad start. A very bad one. Zlatan and I first met much earlier than August, 10^th 2006.

July, 18^th 2004, I’m an Italian student in Portugal, thanks to the EU Erasmus Programme. I’m at the Estádio do Dragão in Porto with four friends, we came here for Italy vs. Sweden. I’m almost sure we’re going home with a poor (but useful) 1 – 0, but no. He, Zlatan, has to ruin my day scoring a terrific draw at the 85’. The ball flies close to Christian Vieri, an Inter player at the time (honestly, he doesn’t make any effort to stop the ball). How did the Swedish7non-Swedish guy dare?

I’m back to Italy that very summer, Euro 2004 doesn’t hurt anymore.Zlatan decides to follow me, on August 31^st he signs for Juventus, public enemy number 1. With his arrogant attidue, he perfectly fits in the unpleasant black&white striped image I’ve got in my mind and for me (such an Inter devoted fan) he becomes the evil.

The 2004/2005 Serie A is won by Juventus, also thanks to his help. On TV, I constantly have to face parts of Juventus games in which Zlatan dribbles, ridicules and makes the opponents fall down and I have to admit that this IS a great player, a diamond in the rough. As a result I like him less and less, as I don’t want him to play for Juventus.

2005/2006 Serie A is tougher for the Swedish Bosnian, he rarely scores but makes enchanting assists. I personally appreciate more a nice assist than a nice goal and I like that guy, Zlatan, the one who derided me in Portugal and followed me to Italy. I sometimes have to rub my eyes and ask myself “did he really do that"? I hate him, footbally speaking, but it's a pleasure to watch him playing. Except for those colours on the top...

Then Calciocaos, the Worldcup, Calciocaos. on August, 10^th 2006 Zlatan decides it’s time to ask me forgiveness and signs for F.C. Internazionale. I’d like to tell him: my dear Zlatan, it won’t be easy. I’m still pissed with you and it’s still “strange” seeing you in black&blue. And don't tell me you've always been an Inter fan, everyone says it!

Summer tournaments pass by and I still can’t get use to it. Zlatan is an Inter playes. how can I jump for a goal? How can I point the TV and say “did you see that”? how can I cope with that?

However I just need a few months to forget him. Inter is spectacular, strong and Zlatan is contributing a lot to the amazing results. There is no game I don’t goggle, I don’t smile for an arrogant face in a derby, cheer for a goal, for one of his assists. I'm like a little girl with a new Barbie, nothing 'bout her. Nothing ‘bout Zlatan.

My dear Zlatan, I don’t know how you did it, but you make me fall in love with you, footbally speaking.