Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the day after the friendly win in Chicago against Real Madrid, was a guest on ESPN's sports program First Take to talk about the Rossoneri’s tour, Pulisic, his new experience as an executive, and the MLS in general.
Here are the Swede's words, as relayed via Milan News:
On Christian Pulisic:
"I think last year with us was the best season of his career. I believe that when you’re happy off the field, you bring that onto the field. He had a fantastic season, scored a lot of goals, and provided many assists. He felt free, came to us, and showed who he is. I expect him to do even more this season and to grow as a leader: we are a young team and we need these leaders to show the way."
On transitioning from player to executive:
"It’s a change that is faced day by day. I have a lot to learn. I have my experiences, but now I work from a different perspective. I’m working with great people, the best, and they help me perform at my best. We are a good team, and I’m excited. I like responsibilities and pressures, I enjoy pressures. We eat pressure for breakfast."
What’s the most difficult part?
"I know the guys because I played with them. Now I make decisions that affect these players, regarding their futures. It’s not easy, going from being a teammate to working over them and making decisions, often difficult and not friendly."
On the positive results of the summer:
"We arrived with a young team because many players were on vacation. So far, the team is doing well. We also have a new coach, so it takes time for his identity to be absorbed by the group. We need to be patient, but even from the two games we’ve played here in America, it’s clear that the team is improving, starting to understand the coach’s ideas. But it’s preseason. These games are great for players challenging big matches and players; they give you more adrenaline and energy to do the hard work. For now, everything is going well."
On his son Maximilian playing for Milan Futuro:
"As a father, I’m very proud and happy. He has a lot of work ahead of him. It’s not easy for him, carrying my last name. But for now, he has a strong mentality, and that’s the most important thing. Then destiny will take care of the rest: if it’s meant to be, it will happen. He’s working hard, believes a lot, and wants to make history, and according to him, he’s already better than me (laughs). I’m here to push him and help him but not to be too protective: in the end, it’s up to him. Expectations? No, I’m simply happy for him."
On the development of the MLS, Ibrahimovic commented:
"I think the league is growing in the right direction, but slowly, because when I was here, I remember - and it’s still true - that the MLS has too many rules to grow quickly. It’s a slow process. But when it comes to play, quality, and individuals, the game is growing and improving more and more. And you also have the World Cup in 2026, which will be important for the country and for the MLS in particular.”
On young talents in the MLS:
"I think that when you bring in great players and they show their quality, you better understand the level in Europe. The level is much higher in Europe, with all due respect to the MLS. But it’s growing. You have to build it from the ground up; it’s not just about the big stars coming and playing. They are not the future, they are the present."
Would you like to be a coach? Milan advisor Ibrahimovic replied:
"Being a coach isn’t easy. When you transition from being a player to a coach, you have to start from scratch and take it one step at a time, starting with a small team or youth teams. For me, taking that step would have been too big. As a player, I already didn’t have much free time, and imagine how it would have been as a coach. And I want to enjoy life in a different way as well."
