Zlatan Ibrahimovic responded perfectly to any critics who had any lingering doubts about his ability with a stunning hat-trick for Los Angeles Galaxy.
Prior to the game against local rivals Los Angeles FC, a journalist asked the 36-year-old if he was still the best player in MLS because Carlos Vela was top of the scoring charts.
Appalled, the Swede said: “By far. Because if he’s [Vela] in his prime. How old is he? 29. And he’s playing in MLS and he’s in his prime.
“When I was 29 [I was in Europe]. Big difference.”
And the former Barcelona and AC Milan striker showed class is indeed permanent by scoring a perfect hat-trick in the game dubbed by locals as ‘El Trafico’.
Ibrahimovic opened the scoring in the eighth minute with a rousing volley and he proved he’s not over the hill yet.
The former Manchester United talisman is adamant he is still a big game player, as he said after the match: “When you play against a rival like that, in a full stadium, I get pumped. I get adrenaline.
“This is considered to be the biggest game in the league and I show up in the biggest games,” said the Swede after the match.
“I am in play-off mode every day.”
Ibrahimovic’s treble took his tally in the MLS to 41 goals from 44 appearances.
