It was with just over five minutes left in the World Cup qualifier that Zlatan Ibrahimovic ended up in a hot duel with Chelsea star César Azpilicueta. The striker lowered the Spaniard with an elbow and received a yellow card. This means that he is suspended when Sweden plays the playoff semi-final in March 2022.
In a long interview with The Guardian tells Ibrahimovic about the incident and says he has no regrets. The 40-year-old says he did it to protect a teammate.
– I did it on purpose, and I’m not ashamed of it. He did a stupid thing to one of my teammates and I had to do something to make him understand that “you do not do that”. You dare not do that to me.
– What can he say? He can not say it to me but he can say it to my player, who will not do anything because he is too kind. It was not well done by me, but I did it anyway. That is the way I am. I’m not ashamed to say it.
Zlatan: “Do not kick someone who is lying”
Azpilicueta and Ibrahimovic did not speak after the match. The Milan striker believes that the Spaniard had nothing to say.
– He can say that to my teammate, but not to me. Because my teammate is too kind and will not say anything. It was not well done by me, but I did it anyway. That’s how it is.
– It’s not about me now being suspended in the playoffs. It’s about the guy (Azpilicueta) understanding that you are not kicking someone who is lying. You do not attack a dog that does not talk. Instead, attack someone who can do something. It’s easy to go after my teammates who are 20 years old. They are very nice guys. Now I hope he understands, says Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
