AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has an opinion on sports and politics that runs counter to that of LeBron James. In an exclusive interview with France Football, the Swedish soccer star said that sports unite people, while politics separates them. Evidently, there was an exchange between Ibrahimovic and James that, in addition to the France Football interview, surfaced on Twitter and in press conferences.
“I said that we are not politicians. Politics divides people,” Ibrahimovic reiterated. “Football, in my world, unites people. Big difference. Because I have had the chance to meet and get to know people that I would never have known if I did not play football. I have met people from all four corners of the world. We unite people. Politicians divide. If I wanted to be a politician, I would do politics. We should only do what we’re good at. Sports and politics are two different categories. If you are intelligent, you understand.”
Ibrahimovic said that he is not here to “send a bad message to people.”
“I am just here to unite, spread love and joy,” he continued. “This is the best means we have to do it. Football or sport. Because we are good for that. I am good for that. I am good at football.”
In February of this year, Ibrahimovic delivered some open commentary that was directed at the NBA star:
“LeBron is phenomenal at what he’s doing, but I don’t like when people have some kind of status, they go and do politics at the same time what they’re doing. do what you’re good at,” Ibrahimovic said at the time.
“LeBron is phenomenal at what he’s doing, but I don’t like when people have some kind of status, they go and do politics at the same time what they’re doing. do what you’re good at.”
Zlatan Ibrahimovic chimes in on LeBron James 👀
(via @dplus_sportSE)pic.twitter.com/AVei7YEj5Z
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) February 25, 2021
James responded by saying, “There’s no way I would ever just stick to sports because I understand how this platform and how powerful my voice is.”
LeBron James responds to Zlatan’s statement on staying out of politics.
“There’s no way I would ever just stick to sports because I understand how this platform and how powerful my voice is.” – @KingJames
🎥: @SpectrumSN pic.twitter.com/CPHWkXQaPU
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) February 27, 2021
James has never hesitated to speak on what he thinks he knows about the world outside of sports, and compulsively so. In one of his many moronic attempts to gin up rage – this one dangerously so – the high school diploma holder threatened on Twitter the Ohip cop who had killed black teen Ma’Khia Bryant as she was about to stab another black teen she had been fighting with.
“YOU’RE NEXT,” he tweeted.
After much backlash, he deleted the tweet and posted instead this emerald of wordsmithing:
ANGER does any of us any good and that includes myself! Gathering all the facts and educating does though! My anger still is here for what happened that lil girl. My sympathy for her family and may justice prevail! 🙏🏾✊🏾🤎👑
— LeBron James (@KingJames) April 21, 2021
In response to Zlatan’s comments on LeBron, the normal gaggle of dunces arrived on the Twitter scene to defend “King James”, offering their uniquely unqualified assessments of the difficulties of being a wealthy and famous black athlete in America.
LeBron is a man first athlete second. He has every right to speak on racism in America. Y’all keep thinking every black man need to shut up and dribble
— EriX🪐 (@TheSpace_god) September 12, 2021
I love Zlatan. He’s a great Football player. He’ll never understand what its like to be a Black Athlete in America. He spent time in the US and if he chose to ignore social/Civil issues, thats his prerogative. He will Never have a Legacy like the one Lebron is leaving behind.
— Juan Sanchez (@SlvrYems) February 26, 2021
And LeBron is speaking on this night political issues. He’s speaking on our lives and safety. Our lively hood and safety in this country is not a political issue it’s a reality issue
— Mr. Kobayashi (@kobekanemusic) February 26, 2021
Zlatan Ibrahimovic “racist spirit” is uncomfortable with LeBron James success both in the court and outside the court. Shame on the AC Milan “in and out” player
— New Americans Business Magazine (@NewAmericansBu1) February 27, 2021
LeBron is out here speaking for black people to be treated better and you want him to stop? Stay in your country sir.
— BAMONTE 🥇🏅 (@destiinyceline) February 26, 2021
Some people don’t know what it is like to be an African American or a person of color in America. Walk a mile in my shoes and see.
— Forris Fulford (@jedimasterdad) February 27, 2021
It will be interesting to see if James will let Ibrahimovic have the last word on this.
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Frank (Chip) Webster is a musician and composer, former teacher of percussion and U.S. Army Infantry veteran. He holds a degree in English from Arizona State University.
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