Zlatan Ibrahimovic says that he doesn't regret his shoulder charge on Cesar Azpilicueta earlier this month.
Despite his age, the 40-year-old continues to play for Sweden and was hoping to lead them to automatic qualification for the 2022 World Cup once again, but Spain ran out 1-0 victors in their recent winner-takes-all clash in Seville.
Nevertheless, tensions were high towards the end of the game after Ibrahimovic deliberately targeted Chelsea captain Azpilicueta after the Blues star made a comment towards one of the Swede's teammates.
The AC Milan striker was subsequently booked for his actions but doesn't regret the decision he made.
He told the Guardian: “The other day in the national team, I gave a tackle to [Azpilicueta]. I did it on purpose. I’m not ashamed to say it because he did something stupid to my player.
"Acting big to my player. It was a stupid thing but I would still do it to make him understand: ‘You don’t [explicit] do that. You don’t have [explicit] to do it against me. But I will show you what happens if you do it to me.
"That’s why I did it.”
Ibrahimovic subsequently didn't expect any reaction from his opponent.
“What can he say?" he added.
"He will not say it to me but he will say it to my player – who will do nothing because he’s too nice. It was not a good thing by me, but I would still do it. That’s me. I’m not ashamed to say it.”
The caution rules Ibrahimovic out of the first-leg of Sweden's play-off in March, but the striker isn't overly bothered about that.
He claimed: “It’s not about missing the play-offs. It’s about making the guy understand you don’t take the [explicit] out of somebody laying [on the ground].
"You don’t attack a dog that doesn’t talk. Attack the one able to do something.
"It’s too easy to pick on my teammates who are 20 years old and very nice guys. I hope he understands now.”
