“Ibrahimovic criticized by Milan fans for his role as a commentator in the USA.”

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is facing a wave of devastating criticism in the United States, just weeks after being heavily contested by AC Milan fans due to his new role as a television commentator for the 2026 World Cup. The former Swedish forward, currently a senior advisor at RedBird — the investment group that owns the Milan club — is seeing his reputation dragged through the mud on two continents, at a time when Milan is experiencing one of its biggest leadership crises in the last decade.

The controversy erupted when it was announced that Ibrahimovic would join the Fox Sports commentary team for the upcoming World Cup, taking place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The announcement raised serious concerns among fans and officials at AC Milan, as the club had been without a coach for weeks (Rúben Amorim was only officially appointed this Tuesday) and continues to lack a sporting director, technical director, or CEO — a troubling leadership void, especially less than fifteen days before the official start of the summer transfer market. Instead of focusing on helping to rebuild the club during a critical moment, Ibrahimovic chose to embark on a television adventure, a decision that many consider an unacceptable abandonment of his responsibilities to the San Siro emblem.

O MUNDIAL 2026 VIVE-SE COM A LEGO

However, the criticisms do not stop at the timing of the choice. The quality of Ibrahimovic’s contribution as a commentator has been ruthlessly questioned, both by the specialized press and the public. The prestigious The Athletic did not hold back in its adjectives when describing the dynamic between Ibrahimovic and Alexi Lalas, former defender of the U.S. national team, as “uncomfortable” and “artificial.” The article published this week was unequivocal: the Fox program would be “better with less Zlatan, less Lalas.” According to the analysis, the Swede revealed concerning ignorance by admitting, live on air, that he had “never heard of” Jesse Marsch, the U.S. national team coach for Canada, while commenting on a game involving the Canadian team in front of millions of viewers in the U.S.

Additionally, Ibrahimovic has been accused of relying too heavily on his overly confident persona, a stance that is nearing exhaustion and, for many, is no longer convincing. The Athletic emphasizes that, alongside Thierry Henry, the Swede clearly falls short: “Zlatan’s arrogance may work in the locker room, but in the studio, it only makes him less interesting and more predictable,” it can be read. The article recommends that Fox invest more in Ibrahimovic’s analytical ability regarding finishing and tactical intelligence on the field, and drastically reduce Alexi Lalas’s airtime, whose presence is deemed “draining.”

This succession of criticisms gains even more relevance in the context of Milan. The club is currently in a transitional phase and lacks strong figures present behind the scenes, with many fans blaming Ibrahimovic’s absence from professional football discussions precisely when leadership and strategic vision are most needed. The appointment of Rúben Amorim as head coach was seen as a first step towards restoring stability to the squad, but the feeling of abandonment regarding the executive structures persists, where Ibrahimovic’s influence would, in principle, be decisive.

In light of the escalating backlash, Ibrahimovic has not reacted publicly, but it is expected that in the coming weeks he will be pressured to clarify his priorities. The impact of these controversies could spill over into the start of the new season, affecting not only his image among Milan fans but also the future of his collaboration with Fox Sports. Amid growing dissatisfaction in Italy and a frosty reception in the United States, Zlatan finds himself, for the first time since hanging up his boots, truly cornered.

The next steps will be crucial: Milan urgently needs strong leadership to navigate the transfer window and prepare for the 2024/25 season, and Fox will need to rethink how it utilizes the stars of its commentary panel to avoid further media embarrassment. Ibrahimovic, known for never shying away from challenges, will now have to prove that he can be as influential off the pitch as he was on it — lest he see his legacy tarnished by a series of decisions and actions that, until now, have only served to fuel controversy.

NOW YOU CAN FOLLOW THE WORLD CUP WITH ALL THE INFORMATION – HERE