So some giant Swede came to America last week and showed everyone how to do the soccer. Needless to say, people went nuts. Zlatan Ibrahimovic made his debut for the LA Galaxy over the weekend and made an immediate impact. Of course he did. The Zlatan debut goals had sports fans of all types absolutely buzzing Saturday afternoon.
Ibrahimovic’s debut was as legendary as the man himself. The reaction to the Zlatan debut goals has been immense. Grant Wahl of Sports Illustrated has already declared it “the most indelible moment in MLS history.” Instagram posts of the goals are garnering a million views. A YouTube highlight video of the LA Derby has garnered more than 13 million views. (For comparison, no videos of Barcelona’s epic comeback against PSG in last year’s Champions League have more than five million views on YouTube.) Donald Trump might consider giving Zlatan a call to congratulate him on the match’s record ratings.
— FOX Sports PR (@FOXSportsPR) April 1, 2018
Those numbers are huge for MLS, an even bigger boost than when David Beckham joined the Galaxy more than 10 years ago. While Beckham brought a lot to the league in 2007, he wasn’t quite the viral hit that Zlatan can be. There are no more exciting moments in soccer than great goals and Ibrahimovic is a scorer of great goals, not just a right foot and set-piece specialist. Zlatan is also wonderfully charismatic off the pitch. Sure Beckham had his pretty looks and manicured statements, but Ibrahimovic is in some ways the Trump of soccer: He says what he wants and his fans love him because of it.
So it was no surprise the Zlatan debut goal and his first appearance in general went viral. But it wasn’t just the soccer world that was buzzing. Everyone from NFL stars to former cricketers reacted to Ibrahimovic’s debut. So we rounded up some of the best (and worst) reactions to Zlatan’s first match in Major League Soccer.
For starters, the legend himself chimed in after the match, officially changing league’s name to more appropriately reflect what makes it great.
MLZ @LAGalaxy pic.twitter.com/X8YvMO8cRW
— Zlatan Ibrahimović (@Ibra_official) April 1, 2018
Brothers Jonathan and Giovanni dos Santos were not in the lineup for the Galaxy on Saturday, but that didn’t stop them from celebrating Zlatan wildly, like a young fan boy. Both Mexican internationals posted this video after Ibrahimovic’s winner.
THIS IS LA! @Ibra_official Welcome GOD! pic.twitter.com/We7cyyFyDk
— Jonathan Dos Santos (@jona2santos) March 31, 2018
Other soccer players past and present sounded off too:
I love that so much. Thank you #zLAtan
— Alex Morgan (@alexmorgan13) March 31, 2018
I was gonna take a nap but I just had to change my underwear.
OMG. What a golazo from the .#zLAtan— Alejandro Bedoya (@AleBedoya17) March 31, 2018
Ok then. #zLAtan
— CJ Sapong (@BigAfrika88) March 31, 2018
Hollywood ending ... @Ibra_official #zLAtan#ElTrafico pic.twitter.com/k2GpX7gVRJ
— herculez gomez (@herculezg) March 31, 2018
Best part of #zLAtan for me is this happened right before his goal. Legend. #MLS #LAGvLAFC pic.twitter.com/RgxQFylMmV
— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) March 31, 2018
Watching @Ibra_official yesterday made me want to be a pro soccer player when I grow up. I can’t stop watching that goal. Dude gave me goosebumps and I’ve been watching through a cell phone Couldn’t imagine being in the stadium yesterday! @LAGalaxy @MLS #zLAtan #LAvLAFC
— Chris Rolfe (@ChrisRolfe17) April 1, 2018
Even fans at other MLS stadiums took notice.
Found this guy at BBVA #zLAtan pic.twitter.com/zsVO2QT2Ro
— Dustyn Richardson (@HouSports) April 1, 2018
When healthy, JJ Watt is a bit like Ibrahimovic, a massive-yet-still-athletic terror for opponents. Watt was quick to react and jump on the Zlatan hype train.
He tried to warn us!!!
Unbelievable @Ibra_official!!!!!! https://t.co/BFdq7Vn3o0— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) March 31, 2018
But he was by no means the only non-soccer athlete to be wowed by Zlatan’s debut.
IBRA IBRA IBRA IBRA IBRA
— Josh Lambo (@JoshLambo) March 31, 2018
Zlatan
— Adrian Kempe (@adriankempe) March 31, 2018
Oh my word #zlatan https://t.co/2JzosJtHrH
— Darren Gough (@DGoughie) March 31, 2018
And thousands of others, both famous and unknown, were compelled chimed in on the incredible Zlatan debut goals in Ibrahimovic’s first MLS appearance.
Everyone in Ireland is asking me about the #zLAtan goal no joke
They also all think the #ELTraffico name is dopeAlso, everything out here mad moist
— Alexis Guerreros (@NotAlexis) April 2, 2018
Zlatans shirt was off before the ball even went in
— Rachel Bonnetta (@rachelbonnetta) March 31, 2018
Even offside lines are afraid of Zlatan. #InstantReplay pic.twitter.com/DSi9WAUE7s
— Jonathan Bettin (@jonathan_bettin) March 31, 2018
Lol who did this. #LAvLAFC #zLAtan pic.twitter.com/8gjV1C2rMd
— Emily Cummings (@emilyrcummings) March 31, 2018
#Zlatan’s debut goal for @LAGalaxy. pic.twitter.com/KN92A4E5xl
— Richard Swarbrick (@RikkiLeaks) April 1, 2018
Los Angeles right now #zLAtan pic.twitter.com/yXn5lk3ZzO
— Polo (@Polo_Bnsg) March 31, 2018
You know...we can watch that #zLAtan goal on @LAFC's kit sponsor whenever we want.
— José (@elJGY) April 1, 2018
Crowd pleaser. pic.twitter.com/mAmUOrbyhm
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) March 31, 2018