Zlatan Ibrahimovic slams Spain players’ reaction to Argentina dust up

Zlatan Ibrahimovic hit out at everyone involved in the scrap after the World Cup final, both the aggression of the Argentines and the Spanish reaction to it.

Spain won the World Cup final 1-0 after extra time in New Jersey, with former Manchester City forward Ferran Torres the goal-scoring hero after 106 minutes.

The European champions dominated the game, with Argentina not producing a shot of any kind in 90 minutes and none on target over 120.

Argentinian frustration started to boil over before the game was over, with Enzo Fernandez shown a red card before the end of normal time.

Leandro Paredes was fortunate not to follow him off the field, walking a very fine line after being booked early in the second half.

Paredes was then part of a post-match brawl as he kicked and shoved over Eric Garcia before hauling Gavi to the ground.

Nahuel Molina was also involved, sparking the scrap by hitting out at Rodri, while coach Roberto Ayala appeared to punch Dani Olmo.

Ibrahimovic was not impressed with the antics, especially with Paredes, who he says would have been on the wrong end of a headbutt if he had been on the pitch.

However, the Spanish players also came in for criticism from the iconic Swede as he was stunned with their lack of reaction to the Argentine violence.

‘Paredes can be happy there was no player like me on the pitch,’ Ibrahimovic said on Fox Sports. ‘If I had been there, I would have headbutted him and been sent off. It is unprofessional behaviour from him.

‘I don’t know what the Spanish players are doing? They are just watching another player hit their teammate.’

There was certainly some irony in Ibrahimovic criticising the lack of professionalism of Paredes, while saying he would have headbutted him, but that probably doesn’t bother him.

There was more drama to come from the former Barcelona, PSG and AC Milan striker as he announced his retirement from punditry duty.

The 44-year-old starred on Fox’s World Cup broadcasts alongside Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, but he does not intend to return to the job after the World Cup.

‘I have talked a lot during the past month and a half, but these will be my last words. Alexi (Lalas), Thierry, Rebecca (Lowe), thank you,’ he said.

‘It has been my pleasure to share this studio with you. I also thank Fox, the United States and everyone who watched. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. This is my last visit to the studio. For me, this was the first and last time.’

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