Zlatan Ibrahimovic has torn into some of the world's biggest stars - including Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Karim Benzema - for moving to Saudi Arabia to play football as he insists money is not everything.
Following a mass exodus of some of the biggest names in football to the Saudi Pro League, the former AC Milan striker has made his feelings clear on their decision.
The likes of Ronaldo alongside Sadio Mane, Riyad Mahrez and Fabinho joined the Saudi league and took on lucrative money, with reports suggesting Brazil star Neymar is earning £2.65m a week at Al Hilal.
Speaking to Piers Morgan Uncensored about this, Ibrahimovic said: 'I had an offer also from China. I had an offer also from Saudi, but the situation is, what do you want? What objectives do you have?
'I said before we started, like certain players need to finish their career on the big stage because that is the high end of your career.
'You have to be remembered for your talent, not for what you earned. Because if you were remembered in the opposite way, what we are training every day for, what we are being recognised for, is our talent and that's what you want to be remembered for.
'So I think certain players that reach a certain level, they have to stop at a certain stage, and that's the big stage.
'You cannot go in a lower stage and finish your career in a different way. But some players needed the situations where you can earn a lot of money because they didn't earn enough.'
Asked whether he would have an issue morally playing in Saudi Arabia, he added: 'No, absolutely not. You have the golf situation now. They came together and they made it one, so I am just sorry for the players that didn't go before because they didn't get the money that the [other] players got.
'Listen, wherever you play football, it's football. Football connects people. It's a dream we share, both of us.
'We do things for ourselves and our family. Who would judge you in five or ten years when you have a wealthy, healthy life and have a good life?
'I don't think anything is for free. You don't work for free. I don't work for free. I don't need money but I am very expensive, that's the difference.'
Ibrahimovic also gave insight into his time playing under Pep Guardiola at Barcelona, revealing he told this former coach he 'had no balls' following a spat over whether or not he could drive his Ferrari to training.
Describing one of the first times he met Guardiola, Ibrahimovic said: 'When I met Pep, he told me: "Remember, the players here do not come with Ferraris."
'What did I do? Of course. I brought my f***ing Ferrari. I yelled: "You haven't got any b***s!" and worse than that I added: "You can go to hell!"'
Ibrahimovic, who played for Man United from 2016 to 2018, controversially defended the Glazers' ownership of the club.
He insisted 'they are investing' and claimed it is 'wrong to say they are not doing what the fans expect them to do'.
GILBOY
910
people will barely remember zlatan but people will never forget Ronaldo.
McInnesIII
759
No team from Saudi came calling for Zlatan's signature because 1. He was too old 2. Never won a Champions League in his entire football life. 3. Never won a Ballon d'or in his life 4. He was more of a Martial Artist than a footballer 5. He loves too much sex, even the Saudi women were afraid. 6. ETC
MARTIAN07
661
Cristiano Ronaldo finished Zlatan's career when he single handedly played like a god against Sweden in 2013 qualifiers as the commentators said scoring a hat-trick to take Portugal to world cup 2014
maturidikxith
588
ronaldo in saudi🐐💪
carlojay
530
Man What's your problem these days leave the GOAT alone because he's nothing like you... He has already achieved a lot in Europe, he proved himself already just enjoy your retirement
EmeraldJ
456
CR7 has made more money than Zlatan even before moving to Saudi Arabia... Same is Benzema etc
sotdeopstu
442
Zlatan money is good an it is good to make more more money when you have the chance. So leave those guys alone. If your ego and pride made you not to play in Saudi Arabia for money, that is your business leave people to make more money for their family. poverty is evil so if you have to chance to eliminate it by making too much money for your entire family go for it. Those politicians who are still in power even in their old age, do you think they like it? But they want to make more money. If you have the chance like Ronaldo Naymar. Benzima etc. go and make money your family and generation unborn need it.
Dihceimry
325
Zlatan is definitely speak the truth, Arabs they are going to destroy football because of their money what’s up if next season they can do the same so are we going to watch arabic league? I think Fifa they should take this to their consideration they can not make their league famous by simply buy all stars absolutely no it definitely takes time EPL took many years until to be in this stage now it is, it is ok to some players who are going to retire but no and big no to some still young like neymah we still need to see their talents. Arabs leageu stop buying young stars you are destroying football .
Modys
230
Look like he forgot that he went to play in La Galaxy for two years only for money 😅😅😅