PHOTO: Twitter
Zlatan Ibrahimovic and José Mourinho have a special relationship.
And we’ll never forget when the duo offered the strangest photos.
When Mourinho offered the worst trick of all time against an angry “Ibra”.
Twice in his career has Zlatan Ibrahimovic had the opportunity to work together with Jose Mourinho. First at the Italian big club Inter and then the duo reunited in England at Manchester United seven years later.
Zlatan’s plea
Both have often talked openly about their close relationship and how they understand each other as people. But there is an unforgettable moment from the time at Inter that says the exact opposite that they should have such a fine understanding of each other.
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It was a match in 2009 when Inter played a league match against Siena and it was already clear that Inter won the Serie A title that season. During the match, Zlatan looked out towards the bench and wanted to be substituted, but Mourinho refused to meet the Swede’s gaze or plea to leave the pitch.
READ MORE: Icon Nils Liedholm’s decisive move for a young Zlatan Ibrahimovic – which could have changed everything
Mourinho’s gesture
But Zlatan continued to show with his whole body language that he wanted to step down – then instead the Portuguese demon coach responded with the most daring foul trick of all time, see the video below. Mourinho replaced both teammates Luis Figo and Mario Balotelli but let “Ibra” remain on the pitch.
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Later in the match, Zlatan also scored and again looked towards the bench. Then Mourinho took it even further by replacing the goalkeeper Julio Cesar with his third and final substitution to keep the Swede on the pitch for the full 90 minutes, watch the video below.
“Be very angry”
Mourinho would still be right in the end as Ibrahimovic won the top-scoring league by a one-goal margin when the season was summed up. Several years later, the Inter coach revealed why he forced Zlatan to play the entire match.
– He was very angry and upset when he confronted me. He shouted at me: “We are champions and I helped you become champions, now no one is helping me. I want to be replaced,” the Portuguese told Sky Sports.
– But I pretended that I didn’t understand him. I replied: “Huh, what? Do you want to drink, do you want some water? Here, take some water and play on,” so I threw him a water bottle. Just a few minutes later he scored a beautiful goal.
READ MORE: When Zlatan made the Norwegians tear off their lice cardigans in anger and became loathed throughout the country: “An arrogant pile of shit”
José Mourinho also admits that he has a special bond with Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
– A player who gave me as much as Ibra did will forever have a place in my heart. He did a lot for Inter and Inter did a lot for him. I like him. We meet every chance we get and I wish him all the best – except when I’m playing against him. He is very special, one of the world’s best strikers, says the coaching icon in the interview.
Today, both are back in Italy again, where Zlatan plays for Milan and Mourinho is the coach for Roma.
Surely this is so coolly done by José Mourinho against Zlatan? Share the article and have your say!
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