‘MLS is scared of him’: Zlatan slammed for screaming in defender’s face after scoring winner (VIDEO)
Football fans in the US have slammed star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, after the giant Swede screamed into defender Nedum Onuoha’s face on netting the winner for LA Galaxy in an ill-tempered victory over Real Salt Lake in MLS.
Galaxy striker Ibrahimovic and Salt Lake defender Onuoha waged a running battle during the game on Sunday, which saw the big Swede booked on the hour mark for catching Onuoha with his arm before the pair squared up.
But the 37-year-old Ibrahimovic bagged his team’s winner on 78 minutes when he turned home a cross from short range.
You don't want to upset the Lion. 🦁Zlatan makes it 2-1! #LAvRSLhttps://t.co/lLl7fh68Fk
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 29, 2019
He celebrated by turning to the nearby Onuoha and screaming in his face for several seconds before being led away by teammates.
The belligerence from Ibrahimovic drew criticism from former Manchester City and Queens Park Rangers center-back Onuoha – who refused to shake the Swede’s hand even when he reportedly tried to apologize in the locker rooms after the game.
“He came in to apologize after the game, because from 60 minutes in, he's saying to me he's going to do me, he's going to hurt me for that game,” Onuoha said.
Nedum Onuoha explains to @syarock what happened when Zlatan came into the @realsaltlake locker room and why he didn't accept Zlatan's apology. #RSL#mls#rsltidpic.twitter.com/RNH36Olpv7
— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) April 29, 2019
“And this is the guy who's the face of the MLS, as he calls himself, but this is the way he plays on the field.
“So I don't care. Someone comes in and tries to do that to me – you don't say that on the field. I don't care. I'm not going to accept his apology. It's unacceptable.”
Zlatan Ibrahimovic went into the locker room apparently to apologize to Nedum Onuoha for fouling and taunting him during the game. Nedum wanted no part of his apology. #mls#RSL#rsltidpic.twitter.com/F2zcmPTbC2
— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) April 29, 2019
Social media users also accused the Swede of “crossing the line” – with some claiming that the fiery celebration was another yellow card offense, and that MLS was even “scared” of the giant Swede, who is the league’s star name.
Apparently MLS is afraid of Ibra....any other player in MLS would have gotten a yellow for the blatant poor sportsmanship shown after the goal.
— Sue (@mommy2candc) April 29, 2019
Whatever. You should not praise a player like him. You should be promoting fair play. He crossed the line
— David van Hees (@dvhtion) April 29, 2019
Yeah, you definitely don’t want to upset the “lion” cuz MLS coddles him and nothing he could possibly do would get punished by them
— Jared Lotz (@SilkierMeat) April 29, 2019
Ibrahimovic himself was typically defiant, saying: “What happens on the field stays on the field.
“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 actually activate me. ... When I get angry, I feel good.”
Ibrahimovic’s strike was his eighth of the season for the Galaxy, who sit second in the Western Conference, one point behind city rivals LAFC, but with a game in hand.
