David Beckham wants Zlatan Ibrahimovic to play for his Miami-based MLS franchise
Manchester United legend David Beckham has said that he wishes to lure in Zlatan Ibrahimovic for his MLS franchise which will be based in Miami. The duo played together for five months when Beckham joined Paris Saint Germain in 2013, after which he retired from the game.
The 40-year-old revealed his plans of starting an MLS team based in Miami last year and the inclusion of team in the league is based on how soon their stadium can be built, the site for which hs already been finalised. However, the ex-Milan player has already revealed that he wants to sign Ibrahimovic for his franchise, if he has not retired from the game by the time Beckham’s franchise is drafted into the MLS.
“We have received permission to build an arena and it will take three years ... maybe two, at best,” he said.
“If Ibrahimovic is still active, then I want to buy him right away. He is a physically magnificent specimen, so it's entirely possible. He's in great shape physically so why not? Who does not want a man who is prepared to kill to win?”
Ibrahimovic is a born winner
Like a fine wine, the 34-year-old striker seems to be getting better as the years go by. He has already scored 15 goals in 14 appearances for French champions, Paris St. Germain in Ligue 1 this season. The Swedish captain’s contract with PSG lasts until this summer and there are a number of possible destinations for him. The ex-Barcelona striker has never plied his trade in the English Premier League and was linked with a move to Manchester United and Arsenal in the last summer transfer window.
When quizzed about Zlatan’s scintillating form, Beckham heaped praise on his ex-teammate and went on to say that he is “a born winner”.
“I've played with or against the very best in the world,” Beckham said. “I want to say that I have never met anyone who was so serious during both practice and games.”
“When I came to Paris I knew that he was an incomparable talent as a player, but he'd be so tough and merciless on himself at all times, I had no idea. He is a born winner. He is a beast with huge self-confidence, and I'm one of his biggest admirers.”
The Miami Beckham United investment group which is led by Beckham himself, Simon Fuller and Marcelo Claure, reached a tentative agreement with the city of Miami to build a stadium for their MLS franchise back in July this year. The construction of the stadium is expected to be finished by 2018.