AC Milan star Zlatan Ibrahimovic criticized Lakers star LeBron James and others Thursday for his activism in what the LA Galaxy star called “politics.”
In an interview with UEFA for Discovery + in Sweden on Thursday, the frank striker said that while he admired James’ talent, it was a “mistake” for athletes to get out of their way and get involved socially and politically. .
“[LeBron] It’s phenomenal in what he’s doing, but I don’t like it when people have some kind of status, they go and do politics at the same time, “Ibrahimovic said. Do what is right for you. Make the category you do. I play football because I’m the best at playing football. “
“I don’t do politics. If I were a political politician, I would do politics. This is the first mistake people make when they become famous and acquire a certain status. To be on the sidelines. Just do what you do best because you don’t see it. well “.
James has been a force for social change and political action. His More Than a Vote organization attracted more than 42,000 volunteers to work in polling stations for the November election, helped some regain their voting rights and lobbied for the participation of black voters and teens.
He has also focused on his hometown of Akron, Ohio.
The I Promise school that opened in 2018 now has more than 450 third- to sixth-grade students. When the pandemic closed the school, James and his team made sure the students received hot meals at home, even full Thanksgiving meals. This year an affordable housing project for 50 families was started. And this month, plans for the House of Thirty (a nod to Akron’s area code) were announced, detailing how James will offer things like accessible family financial health programming, job training and a space of community meeting.
“I still know what I’m doing on the court and obviously I give my all for the game,” James told AP in December. “But I can make a bigger impact from the court right now, more than I can on the court. And I want to keep inspiring people with the way I play basketball. But there are a lot more things I can do off the field. the track to help cultivate people, inspire them, unite them, empower them. “
However, his frankness has not always been well received. In February 2018, a prominent conservative commentator told him to “shut up and bargain” in response to his “talking politics”.
Ibrahimovic has been in the news for acrobatic goals, grandiose ostentation and controversy on the field throughout his successful football career.
In January, he faced accusations of racism following a clash with Inter Milan’s Romelu Lukaku during a quarter-final clash in the Coppa Italia. Ibrahimovic, who often refers to himself in the third person, was accused of using offensive language during his dispute with Lukaku and then posted a message on social media reiterating that he is against racism, and his coach later backed up his claims.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.