Zlatan to Beckham: If Sweden beats England buy me something from Ikea

Fri, Jul 6, 2018, 9:47 PM

In an interesting twist of soccer irony, Sweden is having its best World Cup for decades in the wake of the international retirement of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, arguably the greatest player ever to wear the Swedish jersey. But the legendary striker, who currently suits up for L.A. Galaxy in MLS, has backed his countrymen to succeed, and seems confident ahead of Saturday’s quarterfinal against England.

Swedish football player Zlatan Ibrahimovic smiles before the Russia 2018 World Cup Group F football match between Germany and Mexico at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on June 17, 2018. (Getty Images)

How confident?

So confident that he’s issued a social media challenge to England legend and former captain, David Beckham.

“Yo David Beckham if England wins I buy you dinner where ever you want in the world, but if Sweden wins you buy me what ever I want from Ikea ok?” wrote Ibrahimovic in a post on his Instagram.

Yo @davidbeckham if @england wins I buy you dinner where ever you want in the world, but if @swemnt wins you buy me what ever I want from @ikeasverige ok?
A post shared by Zlatan Ibrahimović (@iamzlatanibrahimovic) on Jul 6, 2018 at 11:59am PDT

Ikea? Well, it is a Swedish company after all, and Ibrahimovic only recently relocated to Los Angeles, so perhaps he still needs a few items for his new house?

The post features a picture of the two players battling for the ball during an international friendly between Sweden and England that was played at Old Trafford in Manchester back in 2001.

Beckham and Ibrahimovic are friendly with one another from the brief time they were teammates at French powerhouse, Paris Saint Germain.

David Beckham of PSG shakes hands with team-mate Zlatan Ibrahimovic during the French Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain FC and Nancy FC at Parc des Princes on March 9, 2013 in Paris, France. (Getty)

The pair has also traveled somewhat parallel career paths, with Beckham having preceded Ibrahimovic at both Manchester United and at the Galaxy. Both players also enjoyed spells with Italian giant, AC Milan.

UPDATE:

Beckham has responded. Looks like it’s on!