Zlatan Turns 42: When PSG Legend Scored a Rocket Against Anderlecht in 2013 in UCL

• Zlatan Ibrahimovic is celebrating his 42nd birthday
• The Swede retired from football in June, leaving an incredible legacy
• Sports Brief looks at one of the best goals he scored in 2013 for Paris Saint-Germain

Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrates his 42nd birthday today, his first since he retired from football a few months ago. Fans, players and coaches paid tribute to the Swedish legend after he walked away from the game.

In his glittering career, he scored over 500 goals, but it was not the numbers that caught the eye but rather the sheer audacity of some of his strikes.

It is October 2013, and Paris Saint-Germain are on the offence against Belgian side Anderlecht in their Champions League clash in Brussels.

Left-back Maxwell receives a pass on the left-hand side and tries to supply a cross into the box. His attempt is unsuccessful as Anderlecht's Chekhou Kouyate headed the ball away.

Who are the top 10 ranked Juventus legends of all time?

Football

In the resulting clearance, Ibrahimovic unleashed an unstoppable volley into the top corner from 25 yards, beating hapless Anderlecht goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski in the 36th minute.

The goal was so good it drew an ovation from the rival supporters. It is one of Ibrahimovic's best goals of all time.

Interestingly, that goal sealed a first-half hat-trick for the Swede. He added another goal in the second half to help PSG win 5-0.

"Scoring a goal like this, it is good for the memory,'' Ibrahimovic said. "It was a big honour for me to have the home fans clap," via the Guardian.

Ibrahimovic's legacy

The 42-year-old won league titles in the Netherlands, Italy, Spain and France. He scored some jaw-droppingly iconic goals like the backheel flick against Italy in Euro 2004, the 40-yard bicycle kick against England, and the spectacular volley for LA Galaxy, per CBS Sports.

Ranking the 10 best attacking trios in football history

Football

At his peak, he was a top 10 player in the world. His cockiness drew admiration and hate, but it made him one of the most intriguing characters in football history.

When someone lists the best players this century, say top 20, the Swede definitely has to be there because he always delivered. Although he would've achieved more, many players would want to swap their careers for Ibrahimovic.

Ibrahimovic picks best-ever bicycle kick

Earlier, Sports Brief reported on Ibrahimovic comparing his remarkable acrobatic goal against England to Cristiano Ronaldo's sensational bicycle kick against Juventus.

The veteran Swede acknowledged the Portuguese star's effort in 2018 surpassed his own, conceding to a fan that it was a superior rendition of his amazing bicycle kick.

During his stint with Real Madrid, Ronaldo delivered a goal to be remembered for generations, playing a pivotal role in his team's emphatic 3-0 triumph over Juventus.