Ibrahimovic's starring role in the new Volvo Cars advert has created something of a buzz in Swedish media circles over the weekend. The Local was among media outlets which picked up the story on Saturday and the film, which was released at 8.10pm on Saturday was even featured on national TV4 news.

While not overly impressed with the film (or Zlatan's voice?), copywriter Ulrika Good told the local Göteborgs Posten daily that “the hype can go a long way”.

The film features the athletic 32-year-old in the far north of Sweden out hunting, swimming in an icy lake, spending time with his family and includes one scene of him giving his son a haircut. 

Despite declaring that “I want to live and die in Sweden”, Ibrahimovic currently plies his trade in Paris and recently put his Malmö house up for sale explaining that he plans to live abroad with his family after the end of his career.

The football star is however a regular visitor to Sweden with several properties including a hunting lodge near Stockholm. He is known as a keen hunter.

According to media reports Ibrahimovic himself got in touch with Volvo Cars to offer his services after having been impressed by the firm's previous advert featuring The Swedish House Mafia.

Ibrahimovic teamed up with his friend, music producer Max Martin for the project.

“That a guy from Rosengård performs the national anthem says something about Sweden. I want a society in which everyone can be part of,” Martin told the Dagens Industri daily, referring to the Malmö suburb where Zlatan was brought up.