Balance, Performance and Gaming - Insights from Zlatan at TechArena 2026

On 11–12 February 2026, Stockholm hosted one of the leading tech events in the Nordics – TechArena 2026. One of the most anticipated speakers on stage was Swedish football legend Zlatan Ibrahimović.

Zlatan is known for his mindset, discipline and confidence on the pitch. But at TechArena, he spoke about something more personal – balance.

At TechArena 2026, Zlatan Ibrahimović challenged the notion that gaming is inherently negative, saying on stage: “Don’t tell me that gaming is not good for young people…”

He spoke about gaming as something that can play a role in staying mentally engaged and balanced during a professional career. During his years playing abroad, he often had long hours between training sessions. To relax and recover mentally, he turned to gaming. Not as an escape, but as a tool.

For Zlatan, gaming was not “just entertainment”. It was a way to train focus, sharpen decision-making and stay present in the moment. A way to switch off - but also to stay sharp.

His broader message was about balance. Pushing hard when it’s time to perform - and recovering in a smart and intentional way. Gaming, in that context, was not presented as the problem. Imbalance was.

This perspective strongly resonates with us at Game Limiter. We do not believe that gaming is something negative by definition. Gaming can support creativity, reaction speed, strategic thinking and even stress relief. The real challenge is not gaming itself - it is losing control of time and balance.

That is why Game Limiter exists. Not to ban gaming. Not to shame it. But to help people - especially young gamers and their families - create healthy boundaries. Because performance, well-being and long-term growth all start with balance.

TechArena 2026 once again showed how sports, technology and human development are deeply connected. And Zlatan’s reflections reminded us that discipline is not about doing more - it is about knowing when to stop.

Special thanks to Fredrik Svärd for generously letting us use his photos from TechArena 2026.