Zlatan Ibrahimović has done almost everything — now he takes on one of sport’s most symbolic roles

Zlatan Ibrahimović has achieved almost everything across his illustrious football career, but a new honour now awaits him — one regarded as one of the most symbolic roles in global sport. The Swedish icon has been selected as one of the torchbearers for the 2026 Winter Olympics, with the Olympic flame set to arrive in Milan next February.

The former striker, a defining figure in European and world football, will accompany the flame on its journey toward Lombardy’s capital, which will host next year’s Winter Games. The Olympic torch began its historic route on 26 November in ancient Olympia before setting off for Italy. Its final destination will be San Siro, where the opening ceremony will take place on 6 February. The Games will run until 22 February, with events held in Milan and the historic winter-sport centre of Cortina d’Ampezzo.

The Italian leg of the relay will begin on 4 December in Rome, and Ibrahimović is among those chosen to carry the flame. Living in Milan after ending his career, the Swede was a natural pick — a charismatic figure and a cultural icon in the city he helped define on and off the pitch.

The flame was first carried out of Greece by rower Petros Gkeidatzis, and will pass through the hands of several prominent sports figures and public personalities across Italy. Among them are tennis champion Flavia Pennetta, reigning MotoGP world champion Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia, popular singer Achille Lauro, autistic boy Andrea Antonello with his father Franco, and conductor Lucia Tellone.

Ibrahimović’s presence in the torch relay is not only symbolic but also reflects Milan’s deep connection with sport. The city where he became a legend will host the world’s best winter athletes in February 2026 — and the arrival of the flame represents the first major signal that one of the biggest sporting events in Italy’s history is fast approaching.