DistantNews
Support us
Zlatan Ibrahimovic Criticizes Leandro Paredes: 'He Was Lucky I Wasn't There'
🇨🇱 Chile /Sports

Zlatan Ibrahimovic Criticizes Leandro Paredes: 'He Was Lucky I Wasn't There'

From Cooperativa · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Zlatan Ibrahimovic criticized Leandro Paredes for his actions after the 2026 World Cup final, where Paredes kicked Eric García and tackled Gavi.
  • Ibrahimovic stated that Paredes was fortunate he was not on the field, as he would have retaliated with a headbutt.
  • The former striker also commented on the Spanish players' lack of reaction during the altercation and announced his departure from television commentary.

Football legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic has sharply criticized Argentinian midfielder Leandro Paredes for his conduct following the 2026 World Cup final, which Spain won against Argentina. Ibrahimovic, now a commentator for Fox Sports, expressed his disapproval of Paredes' actions, which included kicking Eric García and tackling Gavi during post-match incidents.

Paredes can be happy that there wasn't a player like me on the field. If I had been there, I would have headbutted him and I would have been sent off.

— Zlatan IbrahimovicCriticizing Leandro Paredes' actions after the World Cup final.

Analyzing the footage, Ibrahimovic remarked that Paredes was lucky not to face him on the field. "Paredes can be happy that there wasn't a player like me on the field. If I had been there, I would have headbutted him and I would have been sent off," the former AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, and FC Barcelona striker stated.

Ibrahimovic also deemed Paredes' behavior "unprofessional." He further questioned the reaction of the Spanish players during the scuffle, suggesting they should have defended their teammates more assertively. "I don't know what the Spanish players were doing. They were just watching another player hit one of their teammates," he observed.

It is unprofessional behavior on his part.

— Zlatan IbrahimovicCommenting on Leandro Paredes' conduct during the post-match incidents.

During the post-final incidents, Nahuel Molina was seen hitting Rodri, and Argentinian assistant coach Roberto Ayala clashed with Dani Olmo. Spain secured the World Cup title with a goal in extra time. After his World Cup commentary stint, Ibrahimovic announced that he would not continue in television, calling it his "first and last time."

I don't know what the Spanish players were doing. They were just watching another player hit one of their teammates.

— Zlatan IbrahimovicQuestioning the reaction of Spanish players during the altercation.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Cooperativa in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog