‘Benjamin Button’ Ibrahimovic ready for Galaxy debut

Carson: Zlatan Ibrahimovic revealed he had initially hoped to join the Los Angeles Galaxy two years ago as he vowed to conquer Major League Soccer (MLS) in the final chapter of his glittering career.

The 36-year-old Swedish superstar told reporters at a press conference he had planned to head to California after his stint with Paris St Germain came to an end in 2016, before instead opting for Manchester United.

“This thing was supposed to happen a couple of years before, but it didn’t. But I’m here now,” Ibrahimovic told reporters at the Galaxy’s StubHub Centre ground.

“So the destiny was that it was supposed to happen, it was only a question of when. Finally I’m here and I’m just excited, looking forward to playing.”

Ibrahimovic, whose signing for Galaxy was announced last week, compared himself to Benjamin Button, the movie character who ages in reverse.

“I feel young,” he joked. “I feel like Benjamin Button. I was born old and I will die young. For sure. So don’t worry about my age.”

The striker, who will earn an estimated US$3mil (RM11.6mil) for two seasons in MLS, added that he had already proved sceptics wrong during his spell with United in the Premier League, where he scored 28 goals in 46 appearances before tearing knee ligaments last April.

“When I came to England they all said I was old, I came in a wheelchair,” Ibrahimovic said. “But after three months, I conquered England and they said I was flying. So age is only a number.

“I know what I am able to do, I know what I will do. I’ve come here to win. I’ve already brought my family. My wife can take care of the family and I can take of what I’m good at – playing football. I feel excited. The lion is hungry.”