Ibrahimović misses Sweden's opening win – and shows up at UFC event in Monterrey

Reactions from the team

Teammate Anthony Elanga appeared unimpressed by the veteran star's set of priorities. "He can do whatever he wants. We are all happy that we won and hopefully we will be able to focus on the coming weeks," Elanga said after the match. For him and the rest of the squad, only the sporting success on the pitch mattered in the end.

Ibrahimović at the UFC event in Monterrey

In Monterrey, meanwhile, Ibrahimović experienced an unusual evening. At the UFC event he watched the fights inside the cage and afterwards spoke in a video published by the UFC on social media, expressing his enthusiasm about the atmosphere. "Aber es ist einfach großartig," he said in the clip. He also addressed personal words to one of the fighters: "Ich kenne die bosnischen Menschen, es sind sehr stolze Menschen." He also stated that he had "auch ein paar Wurzeln in Kroatien, ich unterstütze sie in diesem Turnier".

The White House is watching too

At the White House in Washington, the UFC spectacle was also watched live on the evening of US President Donald Trump's 80th birthday. As several reports indicated, Trump tuned in to the channel Fox together with guests to watch the fights. The fact that a UFC event attracted attention in such a political setting underscored the combat sports league's growing cultural reach in the USA.

Debate back home

Back in his Swedish homeland, Ibrahimović's appearance in Mexico triggered a broad debate. The tabloid press ran the pointed headline: "Zlatan lässt Schweden links liegen – und taucht bei UFC-Event auf." Some accused the ex-professional of a lack of patriotism, while others pointed to his long-standing individualism that had already set him apart as an active player. "Doch Ibrahimovic hat es noch nie gekümmert, was andere über ihn denken," the coverage noted.

Ibrahimović himself seemed to take the fuss in stride. "Ich meine, das ist etwas, das ich niemals erwartet hätte," he said with regard to the UFC experience. His trip to Monterrey showed once again that the former world-class striker leads a life by his own rules off the football pitch as well – and does not allow himself to be bound by usual expectations.

The Swedish team, meanwhile, can focus on the tournament. With the clear opening victory behind them, the focus turns forward to the upcoming group matches. Whether Ibrahimović will once again be absent or eventually show up in the stadium remains to be seen.