PHOTO: Bildbyrån
They are two of Swedish sports’ biggest profiles.
But we will never forget when Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Börje Salming ended up in each other’s hoods.
– I deserve that criticism and can take it, Börje stated after Zlatan’s sour tirade.
Talk about two Swedish giants in two different sports. Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Börje Salming are and have been the great pride of Swedish sports over the years.
Zlatan’s performance
Zlatan has accomplished so much during his football career and won titles with some of the world’s biggest clubs. Salming was the great pioneer of Swedish hockey in North America and paved the way for future blue-and-yellow big players in the NHL.
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But the late hockey hero ended up in a publicized and highly unexpected argument with Zlatan in 2021. It was after a World Cup qualifying match with Sweden that “Ibra” went on a hard attack against Salming and hit back against his well-directed criticism.
– I heard that Börje Salming opened his mouth and said something about me gesticulating on the pitch, but if you don’t know the person, you shouldn’t open your mouth. Because if you get a puck in the head, it doesn’t mean you’re doing the right thing all the time. So he will take care of his, then I will take care of mine, said an irritated Zlatan at the press conference.
READ MORE: Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s powerful tribute to Peter Forsberg shows the greatest respect: “I enjoy”
Salming’s answer
It all started with Börje Salming being annoyed that the Swedish superstar had bad body language and was waving his arms too much on the football pitch.
– As soon as you gesture in Sweden, it is seen as something negative. In Italy it is completely different. Just because you’re gesticulating doesn’t mean you’re negative. It’s my way of being positive, Ibrahimovic admitted at the press conference.
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Börje Salming took the harsh words in the best possible way and showed the greatest possible respect back to Zlatan.
– The thing with the puck in the head was funny and I laughed a lot, it was apt. What he says about Italy is also probably true. When I offer criticism myself, I must be able to take criticism myself. He must be given the opportunity to defend himself. It’s just nice that you call so we can talk about it, because I’m happy to do that, said Salming in an old interview with Aftonbladet.
READ MORE: Björn Borg ignores everything and tells exactly what he thinks of Zlatan Ibrahimovic: “I just want to say it”
But Börje was also clear that he will not budge from the fact that he thinks Zlatan has bad body language and sends negative energy towards his teammates.
– I stand by that. It is the way he has sent out negative signals in the past that I have not liked and thought was okay. I am a team player, I have always been a team player. I still want to emphasize that Zlatan Ibrahimovic has always been a fantastic footballer for Sweden and out in the world and he knows that himself, I have always respected him for his football qualities and as a private person, Börje Salming stated in the interview.
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