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 40-year-old sent the Chelsea captain flying after slamming his shoulder into the back of Azpilicueta in the closing stages of Sweden's 1-0 defeat against Spain in the World Cup qualifier on Sunday.
As a corner was swung into the box, Ibrahimovic smashed Spain's right back, flooring him on the spot.
Speaking to The Guardian, Ibrahimovic explained the brutal shoulder charge was entirely deliberate and intended to put the Chelsea defender in his place for 'acting big' against a Sweden player earlier in the game.
'The other day in the national team, I gave a tackle to [Cesar Azpilicueta]. I did it on purpose,' he said.
'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 fu**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.'
Typically, Ibrahimovic was not afraid of any retribution coming his way. 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.'
kabuakweteyprosper
396
why didn't u try that stupid on Lukaku,Ramos or better still pepe and let's see whether it will go well with u.just leave the beautiful game for us and join wrestling if u think u have the muscles to do that
Jackson_Kpadeh_Jr
293
I prayed AC Milan qualifies and play Chelsea in the round of 16, you will face the dark shadow in Tony Rudiger for that s**t🙄
AminDa
203
A fool at 40 is a fool forever. You didn’t win a UCL nor World Cup still you call yourself one of the great. Humble yourself so that God bless you with a Europa League maybe this season 🙀🙀🙀
bluebloods
141
See I don’t care how tough Zlatan thinks he is but in my neighborhood in Africa, lol he’ll get beat by everyone. We don’t joke here oo 😒
zimbabimba
20
why didn't u try that stupid on Lukaku,Ramos or better still pepe and let's see whether it will go well with u.just leave the beautiful game for us and join wrestling if u think u have the muscles to do that
He did it all his career to defenders in Italy. If we can say something for Zlatan's career is that he has balls and he doesn't care, he just do what he wants.
Khyodatadic
13
I prayed AC Milan qualifies and play Chelsea in the round of 16, you will face the dark shadow in Tony Rudiger for that s**t🙄
advance RIP to rudiger
riniklortu
12
I prayed AC Milan qualifies and play Chelsea in the round of 16, you will face the dark shadow in Tony Rudiger for that s**t🙄
Lol You think he won’t do the same to rudiger You don’t know zlatan then😂😂😂
Yumbcnrstu
12
why didn't u try that stupid on Lukaku,Ramos or better still pepe and let's see whether it will go well with u.just leave the beautiful game for us and join wrestling if u think u have the muscles to do that
He can put them both down. Stupid but he has the balls to do that to anyone.
bulamajr7
9
I prayed AC Milan qualifies and play Chelsea in the round of 16, you will face the dark shadow in Tony Rudiger for that s**t🙄
Lol, you don’t know zlatan
prezzydone
8
I prayed AC Milan qualifies and play Chelsea in the round of 16, you will face the dark shadow in Tony Rudiger for that s**t🙄
are you guys forgetting something that Zlatan ibrahimovic have a black belt he's not afraid of anyone
cuddeklnr
8
I prayed AC Milan qualifies and play Chelsea in the round of 16, you will face the dark shadow in Tony Rudiger for that s**t🙄
he will send that your rudiger to early retirement