ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC once threatened to break team-mate Rafael van der Vaart’s legs when they were at Ajax together.
The legendary Swedish striker continues to play at the age of 41 while van der Vaart retired in 2018.
Rafael van der Vaart says Zlatan Ibrahimovic threatened to break his legs when they played together at AjaxAFP – Getty
Speaking about his career with FourFourTwo back in 2019, the former Tottenham midfielder spoke honestly on his toxic relationship with Swedish icon Ibrahimovic.
Van der Vaart admitted it is true that ex-Manchester United hitman did say he would snap him in two.
And delivering a huge understatement, ex-Real Madrid man Van der Vaart confessed the two of them “didn’t get along”.
Quizzed on whether it was true Zlatan threatened to break his legs, Van der Vaart said: “Yes, he did say that, but Zlatan said it to everyone.
“It’s also true that around that time things just weren’t working between the two of us.
“But I would rather be in a team with people who are honest, like him, even if it means there are a few arguments.
“But there wasn’t a specific moment we fell out. We generally didn’t get along well.”
Van der Vaart was with famed Dutch club Ajax from 2000 to 2005 having spent seven years of his youth career there from 1993.
The pair enjoyed success together at the Dutch club even though they did not get onGetty – Contributor
Ibrahimovic threatened to break everyone’s legs, according to Van der VaartGetty – Contributor
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Ibrahimovic, now 40, moved to Ajax from Malmo in 2001 but left for Juventus in 2004. He now plays for AC Milan after a spell at MLS side LA Galaxy, has spent much of the last season being hampered with injuries.
It appears the pair never once saw eye-to-eye, with Holland star Van der Vaart insisting Ibrahimovic was “jealous” of him.
He said: “At that time we were both young and I was the best player in Ajax. He came to the club and believed that he was the best player at Ajax.
“Back then he did not act like he does now and I think he was a bit jealous.
“I did not have really big problems with him. It was just two egos converging in one place. I think I was a bigger problem for him than he was for me.”