Zlatan Ibrahimovic: LeBron James, other sports figures should 'do what you're good at,' stay out of politics

[AndrewX]

Zlatan is notorious for having a big mouth.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the outspoken Swedish soccer star who currently plays in Serie A for AC Milan, was critical of LeBron James on Thursday for being political.

He was asked about basketball and the Los Angeles Lakers star in an interview for UEFA for Discovery+ in Sweden and said that he didn’t like when superstar athletes such as James get into politics.

"[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," he said. "Do what you're good at. Do the category you do. I play football because I'm the best at playing football. I don't do politics. If I would be a political politician, I would do politics. That is the first mistake people do when they become famous and they become in a certain status. Stay out of it. Just do what you do best because it doesn't look good."


Ibrahimovic is one of the biggest showmen in soccer.

When he finished his time with the LA Galaxy, of Major League Soccer, he told fans "you're welcome." He expressed a cavalier attitude when he got the coronavirus, saying that COVID-19 had the "courage" to challenge him, and he is definitely sure that another person like him is not secretly being stationed at Area 51.

James has been praised for his work off the court, including getting Americans registered to vote for in the 2020 presidential election and for opening the I Promise School in his native Akron, Ohio.

The NBA great, who was critical of former President Donald Trump and his administration, has been criticized for picking and choosing his political statements, including falling mum on issues with the league and its ties to China.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic: LeBron James, other sports figures should 'do what you're good at,' stay out of politics

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the outspoken Swedish soccer star who currently plays in Serie A for AC Milan, was critical of LeBron James on Thursday for being political.

www.foxnews.com

 

[Insidious Von]

I respect LeBron's business savvy and his perspective. If the PRC wants to be hypersensitive, fuck them, the NBA doesn't actually need them. LeBron was drafted out of high-school but his intellect far exceeds that.

As for Zlatan, he probably would have accepted a contract extension with the LA Galaxy if neither of the Milano clubs came calling. Zlatan has several properties in Europe but Lombardy is his home of choice. He started a fund for Covid - 19 relief back in April 2020, contributing $130,000 of his own money. Then he did a a followup message when he himself tested positive.

 

[wazup]

Lebron ignores the root problems within the black community and only grandstands when police are involved. Zlaten is right on this one. Lebron kind of looks washed up all of a sudden. They're not winning this year imo.

 

[saxon]

Athletes and Hollywood types should stay out of politics, if they feel so strongly about it they should run for office.

 

[Fun For All]

Zlatan is notorious for having a big mouth.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the outspoken Swedish soccer star who currently plays in Serie A for AC Milan, was critical of LeBron James on Thursday for being political.

He was asked about basketball and the Los Angeles Lakers star in an interview for UEFA for Discovery+ in Sweden and said that he didn’t like when superstar athletes such as James get into politics.

"[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," he said. "Do what you're good at. Do the category you do. I play football because I'm the best at playing football. I don't do politics. If I would be a political politician, I would do politics. That is the first mistake people do when they become famous and they become in a certain status. Stay out of it. Just do what you do best because it doesn't look good."


Ibrahimovic is one of the biggest showmen in soccer.

When he finished his time with the LA Galaxy, of Major League Soccer, he told fans "you're welcome." He expressed a cavalier attitude when he got the coronavirus, saying that COVID-19 had the "courage" to challenge him, and he is definitely sure that another person like him is not secretly being stationed at Area 51.

James has been praised for his work off the court, including getting Americans registered to vote for in the 2020 presidential election and for opening the I Promise School in his native Akron, Ohio.

The NBA great, who was critical of former President Donald Trump and his administration, has been criticized for picking and choosing his political statements, including falling mum on issues with the league and its ties to China.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic: LeBron James, other sports figures should 'do what you're good at,' stay out of politics

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the outspoken Swedish soccer star who currently plays in Serie A for AC Milan, was critical of LeBron James on Thursday for being political.

www.foxnews.com

I know who LeBron James but I've never heard of the other guy before...maybe the other guy shouldn't be such a hypocrite and practice what he preaches and keep his opinions to himself and stay out of LeBron's business.

 

[Fun For All]

Athletes and Hollywood types should stay out of politics, if they feel so strongly about it they should run for office.

Politicians are acting all the time themselves...personally, if it came down to listening to say Tom Hanks talk about world views over Matt Gaetz or any of those CPAC speakers I'd go with Tom Hanks...if those clowns are going to shove the "election was stolen" nonsense down our throats when they know it wasn't, who can respect their opinions anyway.

Why would you want to listen to the liars than the sincere people?

Also, why would one of those athlete/hollywood people want to run for office...to take a pay cut and be abused?

 

[Conil]

Athletes and Hollywood types should stay out of politics, if they feel so strongly about it they should run for office.

I agree

 

[scouser1]

I love Zlatan as he's one of the most entertaining on and off the pitch, but here he's being very hypocritical as he has previously complained of covert discrimination in Sweden because of his last name, and to get on Lebron for speaking his mind in a democratic society with free speech just makes me eyes roll.

 

[smuddan]

James wasn’t speaking out to express his political views. He couldn’t care less about human rights issues or the ethnic cleansing against the Uighurs, he’s mainly concerned with his personal interests. He has a 32 million deal with Nike which had a 4.6 billion sales in 2020 in China by using James immense popularity. James is the most popular foreign sports celebrity in China.

 

[basketcase]

Lebron ignores the root problems within the black community ...

No he's very aware that the results of slavery, the economic disadvantages that followed, and continued views of blacks as inferior are at the root of the problem. Everything else is just a result.

 

[basketcase]

Athletes and Hollywood types should stay out of politics, if they feel so strongly about it they should run for office.

Considering we freely express our opinions on everything under the sun, why shouldn't they have the same opportunity?

 

[wazup]

Half the votes for the all star game came from China .

 

[wazup]

No he's very aware that the results of slavery, the economic disadvantages that followed, and continued views of blacks as inferior are at the root of the problem. Everything else is just a result.

Even though millions of blacks in America are quite successful, doesn't seem to affect them.

 

[Dakotabrasco]

James wasn’t speaking out to express his political views. He couldn’t care less about human rights issues or the ethnic cleansing against the Uighurs, he’s mainly concerned with his personal interests. He has a 32 million deal with Nike which had a 4.6 billion sales in 2020 in China by using James immense popularity. James is the most popular foreign sports celebrity in China.

You hit the nail on the head. The NBA in general won’t criticize China. In fact, most countries won’t.
It’s a complicated issue, unfortunately money and contractual obligations limit him or anyone else from speaking.
But guess what? Mohammed Ali spoke out against the Vietnam war, refused to enlist, as as result he was imprisoned.

If you have a platform, I believe you should exercise that privilege to discuss injustices, no matter where they occur.

 

[basketcase]

Even though millions of blacks in America are quite successful, doesn't seem to affect them.

There is a reason why many millions more aren't. Poverty limits chances and slavery and racism means black people are far more likely to be poor in the US.
Funny that here you are trying to say a successful black man shouldn't have the same right to speak as the rest of us.

 

[wazup]

There is a reason why many millions more aren't. Poverty limits chances and slavery and racism means black people are far more likely to be poor in the US.
Funny that here you are trying to say a successful black man shouldn't have the same right to speak as the rest of us.

Lol OK, if you actually believe that. The millions that aren't are just looking for an excuse and they will always have one.

 

[Insidious Von]

Zlata being Zlata.

He hitched a ride to the San Remo Music Festival on the back of a motorcycle, Singer and Maldini must have been scared shitless. I wonder if Zlata was serious when he criticized Lebron, it would smack of mendacity if he was.

The Festival is older than the Grammy's, this is it's 70th Anniversary.

 

[Insidious Von]

For someone drafted out of high school, LeBron is impressively erudite.

 

[Insidious Von]

Kobe Bryant was an Ac Milan tifosi. As simpatico as he was, I can't forgive him for giving a direct order to fly into a low pressure system.

Those of you who run a business should understand.