Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s comments hint at a jab towards Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘Talent’

After making the lucrative moves, Zlatan Ibrahimovic seemed to take a shot at Cristiano Ronaldo and other Saudi Pro League players, questioning their 'talent' legacy.

Chirag

October 7, 2023

Zlatan Ibrahimovic Takes Dig On Saudi Move For Money — Image Youtube @piers morgan uncensored

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s recent candid interview with Piers Morgan appeared to contain subtle jabs at Cristiano Ronaldo and other players in the Saudi Pro League.

Known for his outspoken nature, the Swedish football legend hasn’t shied away from expressing his opinions, even in retirement, where he remains unafraid of potentially ruffling the feathers of fellow professionals.

Ibrahimovic retired at the age of 41 at the conclusion of the last Serie A season, marking the end of his illustrious career with AC Milan.

While Ibrahimovic never actually played in Saudi Arabia, his stature and personality made him appear as a suitable signing for a wealthy Saudi club.

However, his retirement dashed any prospects of such a move, despite Ibrahimovic acknowledging that the Saudi Pro League had attempted to secure his services.

In what seems like a veiled critique directed at players like Cristiano Ronaldo who have chosen to play in Saudi Arabia, Ibrahimovic told Piers Morgan: “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 recognized for, is our talent and that’s what you want to be remembered for.”

He went on to explain, “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.”

When asked about his moral stance on playing in Saudi Arabia, Ibrahimovic stated,

“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. You are a fan, you are not a professional. You (Morgan) are an Arsenal fan, and I feel sorry for you a little bit, but as a professional football player, as long as you play football, and Saudi is growing, MLS is growing. China had a peak, and then I don’t know, the situation changed there.”

“But a moral thing, no, we do things for ourselves and our family. Who would judge you in 5 or 10 years when you have a wealthy, healthy life and have a good life? Because 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.”