Rome, Sep 15 (DPA) Inter Milan fans should think twice about jeering Zlatan Ibrahimovic when he returns to the Giuseppe Meazza stadium Wednesday in a Barcelona shirt.
For three seasons, the Swedish star had a love-hate relationship with the Milanese fans, who have seemed to veer toward the latter emotion after his transfer to Spain in the summer.
The danger for Inter is that Ibra’s habit is to become even deadlier in front of goal than usual when he gets jeered.
His former fans recall the times when he shut them up, finger to his mouth, after performing one of his feats.
And his words about the Champions League match Wednesday in Milan, quoted by repubblica.it, were not an olive branch.
“It’s a difficult, special game,” he said. “And enjoyable, too, for the atmosphere. I have very good memories of Milan, but I’m very happy to return at San Siro in another jersey.”
Ibra added he doesn’t know what to expect from his ex fans.
“To tell the truth, I expect nothing,” he said. “Catcalls? Applause? I don’t mind. It’s not so important.”
He said he’ll be pleased to see his former teammates. “I have nothing against them, why would I?” he said. “Three scudetti in three years cannot be easily forgotten.”
What Ibra seemed to dislike, however, was a lack of gratitude from the fans, who never fully digested his mix of big ego and undebatable class.
Last week he said that “real fans know what I did for Inter. Before I arrived they had not won in 17 years. Then we won for three years in a row. And I was there for just three years.”
Die-hard supporters must not have liked his words. They generally tend to prefer players who trust in, stick to and possibly worship the team they play for.
And some may also have had something to say about the royal contract he had at Inter, which was worth about 12 million euros ($17.4 million) per season.
Inter coach Jose Mourinho, meanwhile, has no problem about Ibrahimovic back in town in foreign colours.
“I will hug him at game’s start, but during the game I don’t even want to know his name. We are opponents, but I don’t feel betrayed. Thanks to him we are Italian champions.”
At the Spanish and European champions, meanwhile, Ibra seems to have changed his often brooding mood to a more relaxed and happy lifestyle. Some media have already quipped that he has sent his “kinder brother” to Barca.
Beside his new mood, Inter may have to fear his already quite good understanding with Argentina star Lionel Messi.
“What should I say. It looks like we have played together for years,” Ibra said. “It’s beautiful.”
rounak