Swedish great Zlatan Ibrahimovic certainly lost the respect of Nedum Onuoha during La Galaxy’s victory over Real Salt Lake in the MLS on Sunday. Galaxy ran out 2-1 winners, with former Inter Milan, Barcelona, PSG and Manchester United striker Ibrahimovic netting the winner in the 78th minute at Dignity Health Sports Park. However, it wasn’t his goal that got everyone talking but instead his controversial celebration.
After slotting home from close range, Ibrahimovic turned and walked towards Salt Lake defender Onuoha, before celebrating and shouting right in front of his face. Tension had grown between the pair after the LA Galaxy star appeared to catch Onuoha with his arm, which prompted a square-up before Ibrahimovic picked up a yellow card. The 37-year-old visited Onuoha in the dressing room following the clash but the former Manchester City man wasn’t having any of it. ‘He came into apologise after the game because from 60 minutes in he’s saying he’s going to do me, he’s going to hurt me for that game,’ Onuoha told reporters.
‘This is a guy who is the face of MLS, as he calls himself, but this is the way that he plays on the field? So I don’t care. If someone comes in and says that to me, I don’t care. I’m not going to accept his apology. It’s unacceptable.’ Despite causing the tension on Sunday evening, Ibrahimovic remained defiant, claiming he likes ‘to feel alive’ when playing football. ‘What happens on the field stays on the field,’ Ibrahimovic told reporters. ‘I like to feel alive. I like when it becomes duels and that because sometimes, not that I fall asleep, but I don’t feel alive if they don’t activate me. ‘They need to activate me or else it becomes too easy. I know me. When I get angry I feel good.’ 
Photo Credit: Getty
