Zlatan Ibrahimovic is currently in the United States and will soon appear as a Fox Sports commentator for the FIFA World Cup. The controversial Swede among AC Milan fans recently guested on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, with his usual exaggerated talk and a consistently playful atmosphere.
"When I came to the US to play for the LA Galaxy, it felt very different from what I was used to, much more relaxed here. But it's not about me adapting to others, it's about others adapting to me (laughs). But life is good, no stress... In two years, I never spoke to my neighbors, I live in Beverly Hills. That's not too good either: if someone breaks into my yard, I need someone to tell me in advance," Ibrahimovic said.
The host asked him, "Do people usually break into your yard?" Ibrahimovic replied, "Not in Beverly Hills, I'm lucky. But it's more common in Europe."
When talking about his FIFA World Cup experience, Ibrahimovic said, "I played in two World Cups, which is lucky. But at the same time unlucky, I'm a forward, so my performance depends on goals. But I've never scored a goal in the World Cup."
The host then followed up, "Ah, so that's why people would break into your yard?" Ibrahimovic responded with a laugh.
Regarding joining the commentary team, Ibrahimovic said, "I feel good. This is a new experience in front of the camera. But I can't be expected to perform like it's my main job because it's not what I usually do. I won't do anything wrong."
As for whether Fox Sports is paying him, Ibrahimovic said, "A lot, a lot. I don't work for free. I'm not expensive, I'm very expensive."
When asked if he was the "Charles Barkley" of the team, Ibrahimovic said, "Yes, I know him, very famous in the NBA. But I've won championships in my career, he hasn't. Of course, I don't mean to disrespect him."
When asked if he had prepared in advance, Ibrahimovic said, "We practiced a few times these past two or three days. I'm the only one who doesn't have a script to read from. I'm here to be myself. You want Zlatan, I'll give you Zlatan. When others do analysis, I think American audiences will get sleepy, I'm here to wake them up."
Regarding commenting on players, coaches, etc., after retirement, Ibrahimovic said, "I'm a person without a filter. What I say, what I feel, whether right or wrong, that's my opinion. It's up to you whether you like it or not. But yes, it might be a bit harder when it comes to friends. But I'm here to evaluate them my way."
When asked what he meant by "American fans are more relaxed," Ibrahimovic explained, "I remember when I played for the Galaxy in the MLS, after a loss, walking out of the stadium, you'd see fans smiling, eating tacos and waiting by their cars. Very relaxed. In Europe, after a loss, fans don't wait by your car, they wait at your doorstep, and they definitely won't be holding tacos. It's completely different. I remember when I was at Paris Saint-Germain, we went to Marseille for an away game, and someone threw a knife at us on the field. After we scored, we usually ran to the corner flag to celebrate, very close to the fans. I saw them throw a knife, so I told my teammates, next time we score, we'll celebrate at the center circle. I want to leave alive, and never celebrate at the corner flag again."
When asked which country's fans were the most "relaxed," Ibrahimovic said, "America, but this is determined by the league system. There are playoffs there, so it doesn't matter if you win or lose in the regular season, as long as you make the playoffs in the end. Europe is different, especially the big leagues, there's a lot of pressure. If you don't win, believe me, the entire stadium will start booing you in 5 minutes, and you can hear it clearly."
The host lamented that playing football seemed awful, to which Ibrahimovic replied, "No. The difference for me is that I win every year, so I don't get booed much, only celebrated (laughs)."
Regarding Messi and Ronaldo participating in their sixth FIFA World Cup, Ibrahimovic said, "I know one of them, Messi, I played with him at Barcelona."
Who is better? Ibrahimovic said, "At that level, this week you might say one is better, next week you'll say the other. But Messi raised the bar and closed the door after winning the last World Cup."
When the host said this wasn't the answer people expected from Ibrahimovic, he retorted, "Do you want the real Zlatan, or..."
After the host pressed for "a fiercer version of either," Ibrahimovic directly said, "Alright then. Who's better, Messi or Ronaldo? I choose Zlatan."
Regarding US rookies undergoing initiation ceremonies, Ibrahimovic said, "Yes, but not just young players, it's the same when you transfer to a new team. You have to introduce yourself. I'll tell you a story about Beckham. At Paris Saint-Germain, he also had to participate in this ceremony, and our ceremony there was singing. He said he didn't want to sing, I insisted he sing, and he finally compromised. After standing up, he said to me: 'Help me.' Okay. Then he started singing the British national anthem. I looked at him and said: 'Brother, I don't sing the British national anthem.' Everyone was staring at him, his face turned red. Obviously, he was uncomfortable. But that's how we introduce ourselves in new teams."
When this notoriously competitive person was asked how hard it was to watch others play, Ibrahimovic said, "As a former player... I went to the stadium today, and that stadium, it's beautiful. That's a place for Zlatan. I could have sold out the seats."
The host asked if he was hinting at a comeback, to which Ibrahimovic replied, "It depends on the level. If the level is high enough... I'll announce my return and ignite the whole stadium. One hundred percent (laughs). Seriously, I would definitely feel the adrenaline. As a former player, the FIFA World Cup is the most important stage in football, plus such a big stadium... even if now I'm just heating up the studio (laughs)."