Highlights:
- Swedish forward, Zlatan Ibrahimovic made a hard charge on his Spanish opponent Azpilicueta
- Ibrahimovic purposely barged into the Spanish Full Back and said he would do it again
- The 40 year old Swedish forward made no apologies for his incident with his Spanish opponent last week
The 40 year old Swedish international footballer, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, has admitted that he purposely barged into the Spainish full-back Cesar Azpilicueta while on international duty and explained why he would do it again.
The Sweden striker claimed that Azpilicueta made comments towards a teammate of his, which in his eyes warranted a physical confrontation.
Azpilicueta stayed on the ground in apparent pain however it was informed that he avoided serious injury, on the other hand, Ibrahimovic is now suspended for the first leg of his nation’s upcoming World Cup play-off clash.
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On the 14th of November, Ibrahimovic slammed through the back of the Chelsea-man during a set-piece situation which sent him tumbling to the ground.
Zlatan got a yellow card for this shoulder charge on Azpilicueta ? pic.twitter.com/64ipgvvm4X
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 15, 2021
Talimg to The Guardian, Ibrahimovic said, “The other day in the national team, I gave a tackle to [Spain’s Azpilicueta]. I did it on purpose.
“I’m not ashamed to say it because he did something stupid to my player. Acting big to my player. It was a stupid thing but I would still do it to make him understand: ‘You don’t f**king do that! You don’t have balls to do it against me. But I will show you what happens if you do it to me.’ That’s why I did it.
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“What can he say? He will not say it to me but he will say it to my player – who will do nothing because he’s too nice.
“It was not a good thing by me, but I would still do it. That’s me. I’m not ashamed to say it.
“It’s not about missing the play-offs. It’s about making the guy understand you don’t take the p*ss out of somebody laying [on the ground]. You don’t attack a dog that doesn’t talk.
“Attack the one able to do something. It’s too easy to pick on my teammates who are 20 years old and very nice guys. I hope he understands now.”
After finishing as runners-up in their UEFA qualifying group, Sweden, now must navigate a route through the play-offs if they want to play at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022.
Sweden’s opponent will be determined via a draw with an unseeded opponent. Ibrahimovic will not be playing the match as he was shown a yellow card for his foul on Azpilicueta.