Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the wise one? In late 2022, the Swedish football legend had some strong words about Kylian Mbappé, but now, several months later, his words carry a different meaning.
During an interview with Olivier Dacourt on Canal+ last November, Ibrahimovic shared his thoughts on Mbappé, saying, « As a person, I don’t know Mbappé very well. As a player, he is fantastic. But when you lose discipline, you lose your identity. There’s a reason why Zidane is Zidane. Does Mbappé want to imitate him? Then he should start wanting to progress, not being satisfied. »
Ibrahimovic also believed that Mbappé’s decision to extend his contract with PSG was not the right move for the young talent. He stated, « Did Mbappé make the right choice by staying in Paris? For him? No. For Paris? Yes. He made the right choice for Paris, not for himself. »
However, this decision seems to have backfired on Ibrahimovic’s analysis. He expressed his concern that Mbappé might have put himself in a situation where he becomes more important than the club. Ibrahimovic believed that the club had given him too much power, saying, « You should never be bigger than a club. »
The dynamics have shifted since then, and Mbappé’s star continues to rise, making him an invaluable asset for both Paris Saint-Germain and himself. It’s a reminder that in football, as in life, opinions and perspectives can change over time.