The Inter Milan striker fended off tough opposition to claim the awards for Best Male Athlete along with the prestigious Jerring Prize voted for by television viewers.

“To win against all these other stars – this goes straight to my heart,” said Ibrahimovic.

The prize for Best Female Athlete went to skiing sensation Anja Pärson, whose father capped a triumphant evening for the family by taking the Trainer of the Year award.

Carolina Klüft won an award for Performance of the Year. The popular athlete has not lost a single heptathlon or pentathlon event since 2002.

Alpine skier Jens Byggmark was crowned Newcomer of the Year following a highly successful season during which he won both races at Kitzbühel in the Alpine Skiing World Cup.

Byggmark received his prize from Kajsa Bergqvist, who announced her retirement from athletics earlier this month. An emotional Bergqvist took to the stage amid standing ovations from the crowd at Stockholm’s Globen arena.