What’s life after Zlatan Ibrahimovic like for the LA Galaxy?
A lot better than life with him, according to midfielder Sebastian Lletget.
“There’s definitely a better feel around the place for sure,” Lletget said on BSI: The Podcast this week. “As far as chemistry, that’s only going to build with time.”
Lletget opened up about his rocky relationship with the Swedish superstar with Benny Feilhaber, Sal Zizzo and Ike Opara, from inside the club’s dining area (“No one sits with him ever”) to match days when the US men's national team midfielder said the heavy-handed Ibrahimovic stifled the Galaxy’s creativity.
“You couldn’t be free,” he said. “It was super frustrating. … You feel like you want to literally take your boots off and just walk off the field.”
While Ibrahimovic had his share of run-ins with opponents — just ask NYCFC goalkeeper Sean Johnson, Real Salt Lake defender Nedum Onuocha and LAFC’s Mohamed El-Munir — Lletget said it was more difficult being on the same team.
“It’s tough to play against him and tougher to play with him,” said Lletget, who declined to say who he voted for for Landon Donovan MVP, but noted that he didn't vote for a teammate.
The guys asked Lletget about that moment late in the El Trafico showdown against LAFC last August when Ibrahimovic shoved him out of the Galaxy’s wall on a free kick. It’s a moment, like so many others with Ibrahimovic, that went viral.
“That to me is complete insanity to do that to one of your teammates — complete insanity,” Lletget said, adding “it’s one of those moments I think he show his true colors.”
You can listen to the entire interview with Lletget, who talks about his time at West Ham, his journey to MLS and the USMNT by clicking here.
