Interviewed by Swedish newspaper ‘Sydsvenkan’ yesterday, Zlatan Ibrahimovic started by talking about his integration into the Barcelona team: “When you arrive at a new dressing room, you always wonder: ‘ How are they going to receive me, will I be accepted? But everything has been perfect (for me) from day one”.

Ibrahimovic also believes that things can only get better from now on, as his family has settled in well in Barcelona: “We are starting to know the city, adapting ourselves, taking in the rhythm and we have already moved into a house (from hotel)”.

The Swedish forward then complimented his wife, Helena Seger, who he said “has been very important to my career. She has always been by my side and that makes everything easy”. Recalling events leading up to his move to Barcelona from Milan, Zlatan said “part of what inspired me to sign on (was because) I thought my family could still be better off,” although he acknowledged that “on big sporting decisions, she never intervenes. She chose to go along with me, to be a part of this trip and she is an absolute sweetheart”.

Zlatan admitted his knowledge of the Italian language has facilitated his integration into the team because “it is similar to Castilian (Spanish), which I am learning now. Catalan (language) is also important because my teammates use it in the dressing room”.

Touching on the topic of the recurring discomfort in his thigh, knee and ankle, the player said he will be in “perfect condition” for the match against Athletic Bilbao on November 21, ahead of the crucial Champions League clash against Inter Milan and El Clasico.

Asked if he can get any better with his game, Zlatan said, “Of course, I can always learn (something new) here. I want to be a more complete player, to create goal-scoring chances, or better still create them for my teammates. That is how we play (here). I am better with my headers now, it’s in the detail”.

Talking about his smooth integration into the team, he said coming from Ajax helped a lot: “Ajax is like a smaller version of Barca but with all due respect, the quality is better here”.

Finally reminded about his age, which is approaching 30, the player reflected: “I take each day as it comes. Now I am at Barca doing my best to achieve success”. Beyond that, he doesn’t know where his future lies although he is not ruling out “perhaps going to the United States or something like that, to get the experience”.