When Paris Saint-Germain unveiled Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower, it felt as if the Sweden striker had finally found his spiritual home. The Parisian attitude and French way of life are almost metaphors for the majestic talisman’s career.

There is no doubt that the move has been a match made in heaven. Into his third season with the club, Ibrahimovic has scored 64 league goals in 80 appearances, won two league titles and lifted the Coupe de la Ligue.

In September 2013, to show his faith in the capital club’s project, the forward signed a one-year extension on his original deal. Ibrahimovic, speaking to the club’s official website, said at the time: “I don’t see a more ambitious club in Europe than Paris Saint-Germain.”

The 33-year-old, who has also played for Juventus, Inter Milan and Barcelona, added, “my wish is that Paris Saint-Germain is my last big club. This club is like me: the dream is never big enough.”

His current contract comes to an end in June 2016. As we enter the second half of the current season, it is clear the player is not the force he once was.

Injuries are beginning to take their toll on the Sweden international, with a recent heel injury keeping him out for six league games, and he hasn’t looked the same player since.

After 13 league games, he has scored eight goals. Although his strike rate is still comparable to his previous seasons, the performances have lacked the same vigour, enthusiasm and influence as seasons past.

Before the injuries took effect this season, there was a feeling that Ibrahimovic could sense his career was coming to an end and that his extension in 2013 could be his last.

The striker will turn 34 years old just two months into the 2015/16 season, and when asked when and where he would end his career, he suggested it would be in the French capital, per ESPN FC’s Julien Laurens: 

I have a contract until 2016. I will be 34 next season and I don’t see myself continuing to play at the top level after that. So probably the answer is yes.

I have achieved what I wanted in my career, 100 per cent. I have won 23 titles. Of course, it would be nice to win the Champions League, and I feel I can and will win it.

But if my career finishes without it, I would still be happy and proud.

To fulfil his dream of lifting European club football’s biggest prize, he only has a maximum of two attempts with PSG before his contract ends. The Parisians are set to take on Chelsea in this season’s last 16 and will go into that game as clear underdogs.

The odds would be stacked against the Swede in another 12 months. His influence in Paris is already fading and it’s not likely to improve with time. From the recent drop in his form, it is clear that he can’t face the rigours of playing at least twice a week—sometimes three times in seven days.

Laurent Blanc and Ibrahimovic himself need to learn when the forward can rest to make sure he is as close to 100 per cent as he can be for the games he can play. Only then will PSG be able to get the best out of him.

As it stands, Ibrahimovic is one of the highest earners in football, and with that comes a certain pressure and expectation. If he is unable to play 30 league games a season in his current state, there is really no reason for the Ligue 1 champions to continue paying wages past next summer.

However, the player’s agent, Mino Raiola, recently told Foot Express (h/t Get Football News France) that the 33-year-old could go on to extend his current contract:

He will not want to be on the bench for 28 games a season. But that moment is not now. I would not be surprised if at 40 Zlatan will still be playing. We have decided that we will reflect on the situation season by season, so we are not asking that question at the moment. That he extends until 2018? Everything is possible in life, that too.

Ibrahimovic is already PSG’s highest earner, and there is little chance of Raiola negotiating a new deal with a reduced salary. There isn’t really any way the French club could justify paying the Swede the same money they are now when he is 36 years old.

His fitness is already causing issues. It is only going to get worse, and his ability to be this team’s talisman is beginning to fade.

Without doubt, you play him until the end of his contract if he is still able, but come the summer of 2016, it is time for PSG to end their Ibra-odyssey and begin a new voyage, looking for success without the once great Ibrahimovic.

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