Zlatan Ibrahimovic revealed on Tuesday that he turned down a chance to sign for David Beckham’s potential Miami MLS franchise this summer, declining the former LA Galaxy star’s offer to instead join Manchester United.
Ibrahimovic, who was linked heavily with the Galaxy after leaving French club Paris Saint-Germain following the 2015-16 season, revealed the Beckham news in an interview with Goal.com. The 34-year-old signed a one-year deal with Manchester United this summer, but didn’t rule out a potential future move to MLS.
Beckham’s group has acquired land for a potential stadium in Miami, and hopes to begin play in MLS in 2018.
“David is a good friend of mine, and he has asked me to play with his [Miami] team,” Ibrahimovic said. “For now, I want to achieve big things with Manchester United, but I have a lot of respect for the MLS, and anything is possible.”
Ibrahimovic has had a wildly successful club career, winning titles with Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan and PSG. The all-time leading scorer for both PSG and the Swedish national team, he retired from international play after Sweden failed to advance out of the group stage at recently completed Euro 2016.
“I am not ruling out the MLS,” he added. “Once I had decided to leave PSG there were many offers, but with Zlatan that is normal. I know that teams from the MLS were interested, but the opportunity to play for Manchester United, and of course to work with my good friend Jose Mourinho again, was impossible to turn down.”
“I would never rule out the MLS in the future,” he continued. “I have a contract with Manchester United, but I feel in great shape. I feel as though I could play until I am 40. It is impossible to predict the future.”
