The former football star bought the rental property on Östermalm in Stockholm two years ago. After Zlatan Ibrahimovic took over the house, he ended up in a rent dispute with a tenant – who had rented their accommodation through an intermediary company – after the tenant was given notice last year.
The reason for the decision was that the property was to be renovated and Ibrahimovic himself would use the apartment.
"The bailiff was there"
The subsequent eviction notice came as a surprise.
I was working from home one day, there was a knock on the door, and two people from the bailiff's office were standing there, telling me that there was an eviction case, says the tenant.
No one had warned me. It was clearly stressful and difficult, the eviction was to be carried out in just 4-5 days, it came as a real shock.
The tenant did not move out, but instead sued the property owner and demanded to be allowed to stay with the same rights as a first-hand tenant.
The tenant has also declined alternative apartments that have been offered.
"Thought it was illegal"
Zlatan Ibrahimovic was not present in the Stockholm District Court on Wednesday, as he had a prior engagement, but his partner, Helena Seger, who owns one percent of the property, was there.
We had people who took care of this matter for us. I have been driving this. Zlatan has not really been involved, she says, telling about her and the tenant's meeting.
The atmosphere was good, but there were some tough questions. Then we went to our office and stayed and talked: This is not a problem for you since you are billionaires? Then I said that regardless of what we have in the bank, it has nothing to do with this. Then XX said: I'll stay or you'll have to buy me out.
I thought it was illegal. Zlatan would never pay to get XX to move, in his world, he has no right to live in this apartment.
On Thursday, witnesses will be heard, and on Friday, the proceedings will be concluded.
