Zlatan Ibrahimovic looked back at his time with LA Galaxy, highlighting that he was ‘still too alive’ to play in the MLS.
The 40-year-old Swedish striker spent two years in the American topflight, scoring 53 goals and providing 15 assists in 58 appearances across all competitions. He returned to Europe in January 2020, joining Milan on a free transfer; Ibrahimovic has since proven himself to be a key figure in Stefano Pioli’s squad.
Speaking to ESPN, Ibrahimovic reflected on his time in the MLS.
“I’m very happy. I’m very thankful for MLS because they gave me the chance to feel alive.But the problem was I was still too alive. So I was too good for the whole competition. That is what I showed.
“And I’m the best ever to play in MLS and that is not me having ego or trying to show off now. That is true. And when I was there, I enjoyed it. I had a good time. And I like the way they were working, the way they were doing the marketing stuff.
“And I think playing in MLS was the best way for me to come back after my injury. I was in the best condition ever. And I’m very proud I played for the MLS, because they were saying to me the stadiums are pretty empty when you play in that.
“There was no empty stadiums when I was playing. It was even overbooked, so I cannot complain, and I’m very happy I was there.”
The 40-year-old Swedish veteran then touched on if he would ever return to the MLS one day.
“You never know, maybe one day I’ll come back. So to show them how, to give them a reminder what real football is.
“So it’s for two years. They get to see what real football is and I think they will never see something like that before. Maybe I come back and have my own club, you’ll never know.”
The 40-year-old Ibrahimovic’s contract expires with the Rossoneri at the end of this season but a renewal is on the table, meaning he can continue his adventure in Milan if he feels up to it.
The Swede is an important leader in Pioli’s squad and he’s scored eight goals in 20 Serie A appearances this season.
#Ibrahimovic e l’MLS: ‘Ero troppo forte per giocare lì, magari un giorno tornerò con un club mio’ https://t.co/iGSb0wfsd0 pic.twitter.com/PXeYmXTSR2
— calciomercato.com (@cmdotcom) April 29, 2022
OK
That’s not difficult or anything to brag about but I think Pele was the best
Zlatan > Pele
Pele was the best. Giovinco made more of an impact in the MLS than Ibra ever did. Look up Chinaglia. Before there was ever the MLS, Chinaglia dominated American soccer. He also scored one of the most beautiful goals that you can find on YT. Ibra is full of himself. This is why he hasn’t won. A champions league.
Pele
Lalas, obs.
Haters everywhere. Talking about Pele. When we say MLS. We talk about the modern American soccer. Nobody cared abt American football when Pele was there. Even now it’s still not as attractive