After Zlatan Ibrahimovic questioned LeBron James' political activism, the NBA star said he was fighting for an oppressed generation.
LeBron James has vowed never to "just stick to sports" after footballer Zlatan Ibrahimovic said he did not support the NBA star getting involved with politics.
Los Angeles Lakers superstar James has been a powerful voice against racism and police brutality, among a host of social issues, in the United States.
James is a friend of former United States president Barack Obama and his own foundation supports a school that is aimed at helping disadvantaged children.
Milan striker Ibrahimovic told Discovery+ Sport in Sweden: "He's phenomenal what he's doing, but I don't like when people, when they have some kind of status and they do politics at the same time as what they're doing.
"Do what you’re good at, do the category you do. I play football because I'm the best in playing football, I don't do politics.
"If I would be a political politician, I would do politics. That is the first mistake people do when they become famous and they come in a certain status.
"Stay out of it, just do what you're best at, because it doesn't look good."
That outburst was shot down by NBA star James, who said it was important to use his platform to shine a light on inequalities and injustice.
"At the end of the day, I would never shut up about things," James said.
"That's wrong. I appreciate about my people and I appreciate about equality, social injustice, racism, systematic voting, voter suppression, things that go in our community, because I was a part of my community at one point and seeing things what's going on.
"I see what's going on still because I have a group of 300-plus kids at my school that's going through the same thing and they need a voice and I'm their voice.
"I use my platform to continue to shed light on everything that may be going on, not only in my community but around this country and around the world. There's no way I will ever just stick to sports because I understand this platform and how powerful my voice is."
James pointed to the time when Ibrahimovic complained of being racially discriminated against in his native Sweden three years ago, because he did not have a traditionally Swedish name.
At the time, Ibrahimovic spoke of "undercover racism" in the Swedish media.
James, therefore, expressed surprise at why Ibrahimovic would make his latest claims.
"I speak from a very educated mind," James said, "so I'm kind of the wrong guy to actually go at, because I do my homework."
Fatokid
1
Well ibro! Everybody don’t have to live their lives the way you like it
ant11
0
its ibra vs lukaku all ove again but with lebron
frassfamily834
0
Ok we understand james action you're doing a great job but I don't understand zlatan you're pointing figures at yourself you're say one should stick to their professionalism that their good at ok..I do believe all so but..but ain't you have a football career to think about lukaku & co top the league ain't that something you should be considering instead of now pointing fingers at issues that's aren't apart of football....
No cause lately the whole press/media trying to make a comparison between the 2 players an lukaku have proven he's more outstanding an I'm not picking either of them but for some reason I definitely respect lukaku base on how he handle success he always knows he's no where as yet in his career an willing to work his way up the ladder,he always stay humble an let his football speak for him an he's doing a great job I'd love if he win the Italian league...while on the other hand I always hate a footballer who love to hit the press with stupid thoughts opinion or idea an do less on the pitch...that's why I've always admire leo messi....I don't like a player who like to be in the press
buycinpu
2
I like the last part
Gajaak
1
If Sterling and Rashford can fight for inequality and Racism why not the big guy James??
Lobonocturno
0
Milan fan?
Sure ❤🖤👍🏽
hetcdenrty
0
Zlatan is right though, sportsman stick to sport not into politics
Milan fan?
agfx
0
You can just say inter Milan top of the league why must you mention lukaku.
lawalolamide
2
Don't fight dudes, let's consult VAR👇👇👇
lawalolamide
0
Don't fight Lads, let's consult VAR👇👇👇
VaibhavkumarBirajda
0
NBA players won't talk about China 😂😂
lawalidris
0
I use to like this guy before unti when he became something else which i don't like. he is very rude and arrogant with the choice of his words.
visabknrz
0
Zlatan’s huge & selfish ego got himself really believing he’s a god, that his feet don’t even touch the ground anymore. 😂 LJ he don’t live here with us, he can’t relate. 😂
Surely, I support you bro he is such a stubborn
Akaks
0
Zlatan the king of karisma..
Pozinort
0
crown king Zlaaatan Ibrahimovic
Chilex_x
0
fuck zlantan. he can't do shit. remember LeBron is 6'9" and 260Ib. he's fucking with the wrong dude
Is not by size bro.
CR7ISTHEBOSS
0
Now why the insult?? You don’t know what to say then you turn it to insult. That’s to show you’re the one that needs to be banned from this app
Tried to reply to your comment but it didn't ping. But it's still a reply on this comment. The only reason I said those words was because I thought that you were like one of them racist guys that have already commented some very rude words. You can understand that right cuz those guys really made me mad and seeing another guy also would have. Now that I know your not on that side, I'm chill bud. PEACE
CR7ISTHEBOSS
0
Did this man just talk back to Zlatan? Watch your back because you will get Zlatanized.
[image]
I don't think you see the point here. What I am saying here is Why are you showing sympathy to Zlatan. Why support some words that have no meaning. I agree i did wrong to insult you but cmon you gotta support what's right, not what a super savage dude says.
ishti
0
You Talk without reasoning. why is LeBron James not talking about Slave Labor in China? why does he not talk against the genocide on Uighurs in China? He even refused to condemn Chinese oppression on Hong Kong. all because him and his NBA lobbyists receive billions of dollars from China. LeBron is a Hypocrite!
This a definately a hypocrisy. He should speak up for them too. What I was saying that at least he is speaking up for the Americans, sad that due to his business interests he has preferred to maintain silence on bigger crime on humanity by the Chinese.
ishti
0
What about the fact that a white man taking his dog for a walk was robbed and killed by two blacks?
bro, that's terrible and very very very unfortunate. This is crime but I doubt it's racially motivated crime.
jessephao
0
Zlatan is racist
so is Juventus
Lobonocturno
0
Who the hell is Zlatan to tell the GOAT what to do and I M a very avid fan of Zlatan. These individuals have way powerful platform to speak against inequalities as compared to ordinary folks
Zlatan is right though, sportsman stick to sport not into politics
Wiubcekuy
0
Zlatan u are not even the best in serie A talk more of football world calm down bro zlatan
Lobonocturno
0
What kind of weed does Zlatan smokes ?
Good 1 🍀💚👍🏽
Miabcluz
3
When u admire someone, u care abt them. I think LeBron care abt racism & inequality. Zlatan care abt LeBron James. Only that LeBron is solely responsible to what ever he chooses to do off the court.No bad energies
viecinopr
1
Zlatan’s huge & selfish ego got himself really believing he’s a god, that his feet don’t even touch the ground anymore. 😂 LJ he don’t live here with us, he can’t relate. 😂
reoblmprs
4
What kind of weed does Zlatan smokes ?
ham99
0
These celebrities will talk and tweet for any thing as long as you throw money at them.
and you will also support any foolishness as long as it comes from your team
philipajay
2
zlatan has lost it completely...... lukaku plssss help him....
Roaemrstz
5
crown king Zlaaatan Ibrahimovic
vecabcky
3
Zlatan ,he is using his own platform to attack king,James who using his platform to fight for justice and equality so that the world be in better place for everybody to leave peaceful life,crazy Zlatan he fighting calling people name,can someone tell him his old,that’s he need to keep his demn mouth shut up.
Kuhblnsy
0
Now when Zlatan is against a black man, all of a sudden no one defends Zlatan! What a bunch of cowards in this app
so you defend him you are the coward here and a lot more disgusting
Kuhblnsy
0
I'm a black guy and I say Ibra is right, don't you think all those black big players have political views but you don't hear them share because sports is for everyone regardless of your political, religious or social beliefs, it's a place where we all put our weapons down come as one with the love of sports, it's where we forget about what we spent the week disagreeing on to come in one spirit to back our super heros on the pitch as they defend our pride
I really don't think you're black but stupid you are people with love for their fellow humans should speak up about injustices especially those with influence ,politicians alone will never meet the needs of the people without the voices of the people if you are a sport icon most of that support comes from the ordinary people ,so people should not be selfish because they achieve something and forget where they are coming from..
Jkeys
0
Lots of English errors in this article
hioadlstu
2
Zlatan is racist
ruhiklnosy
2
any Asian kids at ur school. because asians are amongst the most appressed minority in america by far. or is it just for African Americans. I know what they say when it's a school of white kids. but been black means u can do wateva I guess
1899ildiavolo
0
Seems abit off to accuse him of that, other then him saying He stick to dribbling rather than politics what makes him racist?
These snowflakes think everything someone says now is racist
fancdeimy
1
Zlan wants his voice to be heard go all the wrong reasons #Voooodooooo
1899ildiavolo
5
Lebron James is a puppet
PrinceFJr
0
And you find this amusing are you kidding me
What else
mayknps
2
Mr james let your voice be heard, what zlatan will say about Liberian president politics is lile in sports,
sekacdekou
2
what do u expect from zlatan now,hes trying to obstruct us from the fact lukaku is better striker than him.he proved him wrong hands down just weeks after he racially attacked lukaku.its time he benched to play with grandkids [5percent]
D_ra
0
Messing with Ibra is no good idea either
Definitely not.
coaalmty
2
Who the hell is Zlatan to tell the GOAT what to do and I M a very avid fan of Zlatan. These individuals have way powerful platform to speak against inequalities as compared to ordinary folks
akiamo
2
some sport men are so ignorant of real issues to indulge or not indulge 😂in.
jecbcdekmu
1
Abraham, please remember that speaking against injustice isn't political but humanity
SundayboyFrank
0
Teach him, he don't know ❤️❤️
kinablnpu
0
zlatan what's the problem with you, you talk too much about things that doesn't concern you stop putting yourself into shameness boy.
Yes
Laebdiksty
0
No one cares about you LeBron
dont know what stone you crawle out from under but you need to go back or get educated
faaaekmnrt
1
zlatan what's the problem with you, you talk too much about things that doesn't concern you stop putting yourself into shameness boy.