While everyone has been busy applauding and congratulating Gareth Bale on his world record transfer, a mega-move that he’s been dreaming about his entire life, you can count on Zlatan Ibrahimovic to try and bring Bale back down to earth with a thud.
“No footballer is worth paying that amount of money for,” Ibrahimovic said. “There is a lot of pressure on him.”
But the Paris Saint-Germain striker wasn’t finished.
“I know that when Zinedine Zidane played for Madrid, the fans were whistling against him,” Ibrahimovic continued. “If they can whistle against Zidane, for me one of the best players in history, I hope Bale has a lot of patience.”
You may be asking exactly what Ibra is trying to achieve by making these comments?
Well, he is one of the most transferred players in today’s game and has been bought and sold for astronomical fees over the years. Clubs likes Ajax, Juventus, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain have all paid huge fees for the services of the towering Swedish forward. So, even though the comments from the 31-year-old PSG striker seem slightly harsh, he has a better sense than most at what pressures come with making a big move to one of world soccer’s greatest teams.
Clubs have spent over $190 million on Ibrahimovic throughout his glittering career and the biggest transfer of all, his switch from Inter Milan to Barcelona in 2009, did not got well. Still the third largest transfer fee in world history, Zlatan switched the San Siro for the Camp Nou in an $84 million deal. But his stay in Catalan lasted for just one year after the big money move went wrong.
A warning to Bale perhaps? Eh, maybe.
But there is a reason why Ibrahimovic keeps hopping from club-to-club; he’s a volatile character who openly shares his opinions and as a result if things aren’t going his way then the situation goes downhill rapidly. Yet Welsh international Bale has a completely different attitude and outlook, much more positive and team-orientated, I know that for a fact.
However the former Tottenham Hotspur star will be getting plenty of advice from every single person he meets right now. So Zlatan Ibrahimovic has joined the queue.
And even though many will scoff at the negativity of Zlatan’s comments, Bale shouldn’t dismiss them altogether. The 24-year-old Welshman should learn from Ibra’s mistakes because the wise old Swede has experience on his side, no matter if you agree or disagree with how he’s conducted himself in the past. That and he’s one of the best strikers in the world, scoring 30 goals in 34 league games for PSG last season as they won the French title.
The pressure at Real will be something entirely new to Bale, but he probably knew that already. Thanks anyway, Ibra.
