ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC has revealed that the first time he met Anthony Elanga, the winger told him “you know my dad”.
The duo are set to take to the field together for the first time tomorrow, when Sweden host the Czech Republic in a crucial World Cup play-off.
4
4
But while Zlatan has never played with the Manchester United wonderkid before, he HAS played with an Elanga.
Speaking about his maiden encounter with the starlet, Ibrahimovic said: “First time I met him, we were in the restaurant in the [United] training ground and he came up to me and he said, ‘you know my father’ and I was like, help me now because I don’t know who I’m talking to.
“‘You played with my father Elanga’, and then everything clicked and I said ‘okay’, and it made me happy because I wasn’t the only Swedish one in Manchester, we had another Swedish player.”
Ibrahimovic, 40, played with Elanga’s father Joseph for Malmo in 2000, prior to his transfer to Ajax.
On the younger Elanga’s progress, Zlatan beamed: “We’re all happy and we’re enjoying the adventure he is on, he just started and he’s on the way up so it’s good.
“You will have something to watch for another 20 years.”
The 19-year-old gushed about his elder, calling it an “honour” to play alongside Ibra.
He said: “You can see for the past 20 years what he’s done for the national team, and obviously at the club football level, you can see the way he’s scoring his goals.
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
4
“Even when I was young I used to look up to him, being from Sweden.
“When I found out that he signed for United, I couldn’t wait to speak to him, ask him about the memories he had with my dad.
“It means a lot, you know, to be able to see him day-in, day-out here, train with him — it’s an honour.”
The duo are aiming to guide Sweden to this winter’s World Cup in Qatar.
They take on the Czechs tomorrow in Stockholm, with the winner facing Poland next week for a spot at the finals.
4