"He likes being the centre of attention": Inter star hits back at Ibrahimovic
The Swede got embrolied at a war of words with another Serie A star, and he's got his answer
Hakan Calhanoglu has made some explosive statements against Zlatan Ibrahimovic, after the Swede incited AC Milan fans to insult the Turk at the Serie A title celebrations.
The spirits are still hot with Calhanoglu, who left the Rossoneri to join the ranks of their classic rival Inter Milan and he responded in an interview with Tivibu Sport.
"Ibra? He is a 40-year-old man, not 18, so I wouldn't do that sort of thing at his age. He just likes being the centre of attention. He didn't contribute to the Scudetto this season, he barely played, but will do everything to be the focus anyway", Calhanoglu pointed out. Zlatan Ibrahimovic had said in December 2021 that the Turk had taken advantage of Christian Eriksen's health issues to force a move to Inter.
He then maintained that Inter is a far more passionate team than their rivals: "It was very difficult, as it was the same city and different colours, but I worked hard and knew this was my opportunity to join the reigning champions of Italy. Then when the team I joined didn't win the Scudetto and my old club did, people acted like it was my fault. I am very happy at Inter, though, and the support of the fans is very helpful. I played at Milan for four years, but nobody ever chanted my name in the stands, whereas it happens every time I just warm up for Inter".
"Inter are a much stronger squad than Milan", Calhanoglu commented, "we lost a derby that changed suddenly at the 75th minute after Ivan Perisic and I were substituted. We were leading 1-0 and then lost 2-1, so the coach contributed to the defeat and I told him as much. In the Coppa Italia semi-final, we beat Milan 3-0".
Knowing Zlatan Ibrahimovic, this provocation is unlikely to go unanswered, which could be the start of another of the many beefs the Swede has held over his career, with the likes of Pep Guardiola, Rafael van der Vaart, Romelu Lukaku and even LeBron James.
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