It's a well-known fact within football that Zlatan Ibrahimovic loves his martial arts.
Despite Ibrahimovic being a black belt in taekwondo, his Milan teammate during his first spell with the Serie A club, Gennaro Gattuso, thought he would take him on during training.
Gattuso was renowned for being a fiery character himself through his aggressive playing style and confrontations with players and coaching staff alike, including that famous spat and resulting headbutting of Joe Jordan during Milan's Champions League clash against Tottenham.
Milan legend Andrea Pirlo also revealed in his autobiography that the Italian enforcer used to stab his teammates with cutlery...
Nonetheless, Zlatan doesn't back down to anyone, and during an interview with Marca, another former Milan teammate, Robinho, described the clash between the two on the training ground, per the Daily Record.
"One day in training he challenged Gattuso to a jiu-jitsu fight.
"Right before your eyes you had this fierce guy doing martial arts against Zlatan - who is a black belt.
"Who won? Zlatan always wins..."
It seems like even Gattuso met his match that day then.
Ibrahimovic also claimed to have been influential in Milan signing Robinho in the first place.
"Zlatan often said that he had convinced Milan to sign me.
"He'd say: 'you're here because of me'.
"Is he arrogant? Yes, but in a good way. He has confidence in his talent.
"For me, he is everything a striker should be: a showman and a winner."
Zlatan's ego and skill on the football pitch were never in doubt, but he can now back up his martial arts claims as well. Not that he even needed that reassurance himself...
Yazaeouy
0
the big ibra
frank_leo
1
The big man Zlatan
JohnWick7
3
It's Easier to Fight and Erase Covid-19 than to Win Zlatan in a Jiu-Jitsu Fight
JohnWick7
3
Gattuso was too scared that he have to Run away to Napoli before Zlatan's Arrival
JohnWick7
2
When Jiu jitsu Martial Art was Created Zlatan himself already knows 100+ skills to teach the Creators
SH3012
0
Zlatan Wins As Everyone Run Aways When They See Him😂😂
SIYAM2009
1
No one can beat Lord Zlatan Except one LordLingard
😂😂
SIYAM2009
6
No one can beat Lord Zlatan Except one LordLingard
Mermothek10
3
Eric Bailey is the only one who's won against Zlatan.. oh sorry I mean "who's zlataned against win"
Hidaceiy
1
CR7 or Messi, the debate will continie, but Zlatan will rule