‘I’m not ashamed to do it, he did something stupid & I will do it again’ – Zlatan Ibrahimovic reveals after fighting with Chelsea player
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has admitted deliberately wiping out Cesar Azpilicueta in a World Cup qualifier last week and insisted he would do it all over again.
The incident happened in a World Cup qualifier between Spain and Sweden during the last international break.
Ibrahimovic was booked for the brutal tackle on Azpilicueta and he has insisted he would do it all over again and has no regrets.
Speaking to The Guardian, Ibrahimovic said: “The other day in the national team, I gave a tackle to [Cesar 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***ing 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.”
Asked whether Azpilicueta approached him after the final whistle, he replied: “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.”
Ibrahimovic avoided a red card, but will miss Sweden’s play-off semi-final in March after being booked off camera.
The former Manchester United striker, however, insisted the suspension did not bother him.
“It’s not about missing the play-offs. It’s about making the guy understand you don’t take the p**s out of somebody laying [on the ground],” he continued.
“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.”