Zlatan Ibrahimovic didn’t come to America for the money.
The soccer superstar reportedly left $97 million on the table in order to sign with Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Galaxy, Sports Illustrated’s and FOX Sports’ Grant Wahl reported Tuesday, citing Galaxy technical director Jovan Kirovski. Ibrahimovic’s MLS contract reportedly pays him $3 million over two seasons, a far cry from the $100 million a Chinese club reportedly was willing to pay the Swedish striker.
Since the Galaxy had filled their three designated-player slots, they were able to offer Ibrahimovic just $1.5 million per season in targeted-allocation money.
Zlatan turned down HOW much money to play in MLS?! 😱@GrantWahl gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the signing as well as an update on Real Madrid's pursuit of Robert Lewandowski. pic.twitter.com/fawbdt9dxA
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) April 3, 2018
Nevertheless, Ibrahimovic, 36, enjoyed an unforgettable MLS debut on Saturday. The Galaxy were losing to crosstown rival LAFC 3-2 when he entered the game in the 71st minute. He scored one of the greatest goals in MLS history just six minutes later.
Zlatan is not human!
His MLS debut goal was simply SPECTACULAR. 🦁😱 pic.twitter.com/Jvjn3zGvqS
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 31, 2018
Ibrahimovic then scored the game-winning goal at the outset of stoppage time.
ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?!
Zlatan completes the LA Galaxy comeback with his second goal of the game. #ElTrafico pic.twitter.com/uUeHUweUPE
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 31, 2018
Ibrahimovic is bound to prove in MLS not all $3 million players are created equally.
