Superstar striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is headed to Manchester United this season, a move that prompted one of my Manchester-supporting friends to assure me they will win the Premier League this season.
Ibrahimovic is known for his ability on the field and his ego off of it, and he may have finally met his match, ego-wise, a man who can stand toe to toe with Zlatan in the self-confidence arena: former Manchester United striker Eric Cantona.
During Euro 2016, Cantona did a series of videos for Eurosport in which he proclaimed himself the "Commissioner of Football" and said outlandish things about the Euros. One of these videos contained a message to Zlatan.
The Zlatan part starts at 2:05 for those who don't want to listen to Cantona dither on about Antoine Griezmann and Wales.
"There can only be one king in Manchester"Eric Cantona’s back… and he has a message for Zlatan Ibrahimovic!https://t.co/MMriXan7Gx
— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) July 9, 2016
Here's a transcript of Cantona's message:
I have a personal message for Zlatan. You decided to go red. It is the best choice you ever made.
When you walk into the "Theatre of dreams," when you feel the ghosts of the legends who have been here before, when you score a goal right in front of Stretford end, when you hear the crowd chanting your name, when you heart beats so strong that it bursts out of your chest, when you can feel that you will love them as much as they will love you, you will know, my friend, that, finally, you made it home.
Just one last thing. There can only be one king in Manchester. You can be the prince if you want to. And the number seven is yours if you are interested. This is my welcome gift to you. The king is gone! Long live the prince!
Zlatan responded as pretty much everybody expected him to: with hubris.
(Update: the quote attributed to Zlatan looks like it probably wasn't real, which is about the saddest thing we've ever heard)
"I admire Cantona and I heard what he said," Ibrahimovic reportedly told Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet. "But I won't be King of Manchester. I will be God of Manchester."
This season is going to be so much fun, y'all.
Contact The18 Staff Writer Sam Klomhaus at Klomhaus@The18.com or follow him on Twitter @SamKlomhaus
