Ibrahimovic set for MLS debut for Galaxy

Team to take on their new cross-town rivals Los Angeles FC today

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s Major League Soccer debut for the Los Angeles Galaxy could come as soon as today, said Galaxy manager Sigi Schmid who described the Swede as “not a normal, mortal human’.

The Swedish star arrived in Southern California on Thursday and is due to meet his new teammates this morning.

But Schmid didn’t rule out the possibility that he’d be ready to play a role tomorrow when the Galaxy take on their new cross-town rivals Los Angeles FC, at StubHub Center in suburban Carson.

“You’re talking about Zlatan Ibrahimovic,” Schmid said. “You’re not talking about a normal, mortal human. I’m sure he’ll tell you the same.

“He’s a competitor. He loves to compete and he loves challenges. If you ask me is he 90 minutes fit for Saturday, no. But will he play a role in the game? Quite possibly.”

Ibrahimovic’s impending arrival in Southern California was announced last week with characteristic swagger, as a full-page advert in the Los Angeles Times that read simply: “Dear Los Angeles, You’re welcome.”

The giant 6ft 4 in tall (1.95 metres) striker has an ego to match his towering physique, but has backed up his boasts by collecting an incredible 31 winners’ medals in spells with Ajax, Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan, Paris SaintGermain and Manchester United.

That total doesn’t even include two Serie A titles won on the field with Juventus but subsequently stripped for the Italian giants role in the Calciopoli match-fixing scandal.

He signed with the Galaxy after securing his release from United, but hasn’t played since re-injuring his right knee in December.