The LA Galaxy are expecting big things from Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
By Ivan Yeo
Two themes for the LA Galaxy on Friday; Lions and Benjamin Button.
It was a surreal moment at the StubHub Center on Friday afternoon. The Galaxy introduced their latest big-name acquisition, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and the Swedish striker more than delivered. Ibrahimovic, who signed a two-year contract with the Galaxy, vowed that despite his advancing age and recent knee injury, he would do whatever he takes to lead the Galaxy to success.
“I feel young, I feel like Benjamin Button,” Ibrahimovic said. “I was born old, now I will die young. Don’t worry about my age.”
The afternoon began with comments from AEG president Dan Beckerman, Galaxy president Chris Klein and head coach Sigi Schmid, but Ibrahimovic soon had his say. All four men all took the opportunity to thank Jovan Kirovski, the team’s technical director, for his work in sealing Ibrahimovic’s move to LA.
All four men made sure not to overlook Kirovski’s role. Back in 2016, when Ibrahimovic was set to leave Paris Saint Germain and the Galaxy were among the teams courting his services, Kirovski was the one guy who kept in contact with Ibrahimovic during the whole process. Ibrahimovic had a tour of the StubHub Center and dined with David Beckham in Beverly Hills. Even after Ibrahimovic opted for Manchester United that year did the two continue to remain in contact.
“It was supposed to happen before Manchester United. My head was here,” Ibrahimovic said. “I wanted to come here and it didn’t happen. Destiny said I would come here. Los Angeles called, and I answered.”
Looking at Kirovski’s playing resume, its easy to see why the Galaxy turned to its technical director to woo Ibrahimovic to the team. ZzKirovski started his professional career with Manchester United, playing there from 1992 until 1996, where he went to Germany to play for Borussia Dortmund, where he was on their 1997 UEFA Champions league squad. Kirovski ventured across Europe for a few more years before coming to MLS in 2004 and played for three teams, including two separate stints with the Galaxy.
Ibrahimovic’s first opportunity to feature for the Galaxy could come Saturday, and MLS would certainly be loving that. The thought that the league’s latest big-time signing could make his debut for the Galaxy at home in the first ever match against cross-town rival LAFC, a game that is nationally televised by the way, has to make MLS and Fox executives feeling giddy right about now, though Ibrahimovic did stress that its not just about one game.
“The coach wants to build me up so that I can settle in and get to know the way things are working,” Ibrahimovic said. “If the coach needs me for the whole game, then I’m there for the whole game. If he needs me for one minute, I’m there for one minute. I’m there only to help and push and do what I’m good at.”
With the Ibrahimovic signing, it certainly promises to be an interesting two seasons for the LA Galaxy. Ibrahimovic himself is confident he can get the Galaxy back to the level of success that the franchise has always enjoyed.
“I know what I am able to do and I know what I will do,” Ibrahimovic said. “I come here to win. I feel excited. The lion is hungry.”
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