'Welcome to Zlatan': Ibrahimovic makes play for LA's heart

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has really always belonged in Hollywood.

The powerful 6-foot-5 Swedish forward has loomed above soccer for nearly two decades, captivating the world with his sublime physical talent and uniquely outrageous personality.

He has scored hundreds of majestic goals, won dozens of trophies and scuffled with a few teammates on his journey from Malmo to Milan to Manchester.

When Ibrahimovic officially landed with the LA Galaxy yesterday, he announced his arrival in a new nation with classic, theatrical, Zlatan-esque style.

"Los Angeles, welcome to Zlatan," read the caption on a social media video featuring Ibrahimovic and a lion.

"Dear Los Angeles, You're welcome," said the back page of the Los Angeles Times sports section, with Ibrahimovic's signature at the bottom of the mostly blank sheet.

Ibrahimovic has been labelled as both a beloved hero and an arrogant villain during his career of high-scoring exploits, but most everyone would agree he is the very definition of a star.

The ponytailed 36-year-old could capture the attention of the world's entertainment capital in a way that even David Beckham couldn't manage.

"After 20 years in Europe, playing for the best clubs in the world with the best players in the world, I decided it's time to move to a different continent," Ibrahimovic said in an interview distributed by Major League Soccer.

"Move over to the U.S., try the MLS. For me, there was no question about it. Galaxy was the team, and I chose them. They didn't need to choose me. I chose them, and I come to do exactly what I've been doing the last 23 years: Winning."
"I want to accomplish as much as possible," Ibrahimovic said. "Wherever I went, I won, so I'm coming with this objective. I come to win. I want to win. I think it's in my DNA that I'm winning trophies. It's not luck."
"I'm like a little child that you give candy for the first time, and he's looking for candy all the time, so that is what I need. I need to play, and I want to play, so I'm hungry to play, because it has gone too long now that I haven't felt involved in the game."
Ibrahimovic also confirmed he hasn't ruled out a return to the Swedish national team for the World Cup this summer despite retiring from the international game in 2016, saying that "the door will always be open."