Fiorentina forward Vlahovic: Zlatan is a legend, I love him

Fiorentina forward Dusan Vlahovic will face his “legend” Zlatan Ibrahimovic for the first time on Saturday and revealed he has been a big fan of the veteran.

The 20-year-old has been a revelation after the winter break and has bagged three times since the winter break – including a brace against Sampdoria last weekend.

Ahead of their clash with Milan on Saturday, Vlahovic has admitted that it presents him the chance to come up against one of his biggest heroes, the former Sweden international Ibrahimovic.

“He is a legend, I love him,” Vlahovic told The Gazzetta dello Sport. “It’s the first time I’ll play against him, well, it’s actually the first time I see him live.

“My friends used to call me Ibra because I walked with wide feet like Zlatan, but it was not to imitate the legend. It just came so naturally.

“I have been following the Swedish star since he played for Inter. Then, I accompanied him as a fan on his adventure in Barcelona and the American experience. And now at Milan.”

The Serbia Under-21 star has been partnered with Federico Chiesa up front for the Viola under Beppe Iachini and revealed that hey are friends also outside of football.

“Federico and I also meet off the pitch. We have created a nice group of close friends,” he added. “I wouldn’t know what to say about the player Chiesa, given what everybody knows. It’s enough to see him in action to understand how great he is.”