Despite his reputation as a passionate football superstar, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has really “hated three or four teammates in his career” says former LA Galaxy colleague Michael Ciani from Sweden. And, Paris Saint-Germain attacker Edinson Cavani is one of them.
Ibrahimovic, who is currently with AC Milan after a two-year stay at LA Galaxy, was always a controversial figure throughout his career because of his larger-than-life style, but his faith and abilities were welcomed everywhere he was.
Ciani, the man who played in MLS alongside the charismatic striker, says there was tension at Parc des Princes between two superstar players. “With Laurent Blanc at PSG he assured me that all was perfect. Cavani was the one person he didn’t get along with,’ he said to RMC Sport.
The enigmatic frontman was at Parc des Prince for four years from 2012 to 2016. Ibrahimovic was the main attraction there for some time. He even set a new record as the all-time top goal scorer for the team.
He was then replaced by Cavani 12 months after his arrival at the French capital, with PSG spending extensively in creating a star-studded team.
This barrier has since been lifted by Uruguay’s international Cavani, with the South American still on PSG books about four years after his long-time striking competitor left for Manchester United.
Throughout their time together the couple formed a strong relationship, but there was never some passion lost between the two.
Ciani confessed almost as much now: “When you’re next to Cavani, Ibra doesn’t like it. You are either for Ibra, or against him. He told me throughout his whole life that he disliked just three or four team-mates … And one of them was Cavani.”
