Zlatan Ibrahimovic reveals surprise choice of career once he retires from football

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has enjoyed a glittering, trophy-laden career – representing the biggest clubs in European football and winning league titles in Spain, Italy, France and Holland.

But at 37 years of age, the experienced striker, currently plying his trade in America with LA Galaxy, is coming to the end of his playing spell.

The former Barcelona and Manchester United star is preparing for what could be his last season in football, with Galaxy hosting Chicago Fire in the MLS season-opener this weekend.

So is he thinking about life after football? The charismatic footballer appeared on hit television show Jimmy Kimmel Live this week and admitted he might dabble in an acting career in the future.

“I’m a little bit curious in how the world looks on that side. I’m in the right place so let’s see what happens,” he said.

When asked by Kimmel if he’d become a James Bond villain, he replied: “I think so. Villain, good guy, whatever, a hero… sing? No!

“I need to be the action guy, jump from buildings, all these crazy things!”

It was at Galaxy where he reached a sensational milestone last season, netting his 500th career goal – an exclusive club that includes just him, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo .

The Swede netted that historic goal in some style, with a roundhouse kick helping him slot the ball past Toronto goalkeeper Alex Bono – but he admitted it was a bit of an anti-climax because his team were losing the game.

“I wanted to make it special,” he added. “That’s some ninja stuff. When you score a goal like that you go crazy and get a lot of adrenaline.

“But when I scored that goal we were losing 3-0. If that was the leading goal I would have left the stadium.

“Because when you score a goal like that you have nothing left to prove.”

Speaking of things to prove, Ibrahimovic also revealed that sons Maximilian, 12, and Vincent, 11, aren’t that impressed by his undoubted ability.

“No absolutely not,’ he added. “When I try to help them, they go, ‘Papa, we know how to do it better than you.’

“It’s become a competition now, as to who is the best. If you ask them, they are the best. They are skillful. I don’t force them to (become professionals).

“I force them to be active and train and get the discipline. Whatever they want to be, they become. I don’t like lazy people.”