Ibrahimovic dismissed because of "reputation"

Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo claims Zlatan Ibrahimovic was only sent off against Valencia because of his standing in the game.



The Swedish striker appeared to become riled as he challenged with two Valencia players and went over the ball in a challenge with Andres Guardado, prompting referee Paolo Tagliavento to brandish the red card.



The dismissal came swiftly after Valencia pulled a goal back in stoppage time, having trailed 2-0, and the Spanish side will head to Paris in three weeks' time looking to make up a 2-1 deficit, with Ibrahimovic suspended.



Leonardo was asked if he regretted the late twist to the night's events.



"To concede a goal, that can happen due to fatigue for example," Leonardo said. "But the red card... I think Ibrahimovic pays for his reputation. If it was another player committing this foul, he wouldn't be sent off.



"Suddenly, there is a slight bitter feeling because of it."



Carlo Ancelotti's Ligue 1 leader had taken command at the Mestalla with first-half goals from Argentinian pair Ezequiel Lavezzi and Javier Pastore, with Valencia's late reply coming from Adil Rami.



"Even when you lead 2-0, it's not easy," Leonardo said.



The Brazilian former World Cup winner stressed it was worth remembering the progress PSG has made since Qatar Sports Investments took control of the club in 2011.



"It's only been a year and a half since QSI took over the club," he said, according to psg.fr.



"We are still in the construction phase. Our ambitions isn't only to win a match in the last 16 away from home. It's more than that.



"To win the Champions League? This year, I don't know. But after that ..."



Manager Ancelotti agreed with Leonardo's assessment of Ibrahimovic's dismissal.



"It wasn't deserved," he said. "I don't under stand it, it isn't fair."



Italian Ancelotti added: "We played a good match on a difficult pitch. There was quality and a good attitude. We will need to have this same attitude in the return match.



"We had a lot of chances to score and we defended very well. It's a very good performance even if we let in this goal at the end of the match."

Zlatan Ibrahimovic mocks a referee

Referees are routinely criticized by players, managers and fans, but that usually doesn't involve a derpy impression of them. Unless it's Zlatan Ibrahimovic doing the criticizing.



Frustrated by teammate Thiago Motta's first-half sending off and his own booking in the final minutes of PSG's 0-0 draw against Ajaccio on Friday, Zlatan gave the ref a critique of his performance that included a funny face that needs to be put on a T-shirt immediately.



Feel the violent fury of Zlatan's facial mocking.

Zlatan: ‘Messi too short, Ronaldo useless’

Swedish striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, has lashed out at two of the world’s best footballers Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.



­“Messi may have four Golden Balls, but I don’t have to get on a box to buy a chocolate bar in a vending machine,” Ibrahimovic is cited as saying by Argentinean Canchallena website. "As for Cristiano Ronaldo, he’s a privileged spectator, who only watches how Messi receives all his awards. He doesn’t deserve to be in the top three, there are at least ten people better than him."



1.69-meter tall Messi won his fourth straight Golden Ball award (given to the best footballer on the planet) on January 7.



The Argentinean’s Barcelona teammate, Andres Iniesta, and Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo finished as the runners up for the prestigious prize.



Ibrahimovic, who didn’t make it into the top three this year, is well known for his temper and controversial statements.



The PSG star also called Man City player Mario Balotelli a “mediocre” player and made some revealing statements about former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola, in his autobiography.

Zlatan hat-trick seals points

Zlatan Ibrahimovic netted a hat-trick as Paris-Saint Germain beat Valenciennes 4-0 in Ligue 1 on Tuesday.

Ezequiel Lavezzi added a fourth late on, while the in-form Ibrahimovic reached 17 goals for the season.

The Swede joined from AC Milan during the summer, and his latest strikes have enabled PSG to move to within two points of leaders Lyon at the top of the table.

It was the sixth time this season that the 31-year-old has scored two or more goals in the same match.

PSG opened the scoring on 29 thanks to an excellent pass from Javier Pastore who found Jeremy Menez.

His shot was parried by Nicolas Penneteau only for Ibrahimovic to turn in the rebound.

Three minutes after the break, Menez was again the provider as Pastore's strike was saved by Penneteau and Ibrahimovic swept home his second of the night.

Menez conjured up the assist for Ibrahimovic's third in the 53rd minute, as he tapped home for the hat-trick.



Elsewhere, Nice beat nine-man Rennes 1-0 with Daro Cvitanich scoring the only goal from the penalty spot after both Jean-Armel Kana-Biyik and Yassine Jebbour had been sent off.

Zlatan urges Beckham to snub QPR for PSG

David Beckham should forget about a return to the Premier League with QPR and sign for Paris Saint-Germain, according to Zlatan Ibrahimovic.



Former England captain Beckham will play his final game in Major League Soccer when LA Galaxy face Houston Dynamo in the MLS Cup final on December 1, after which he is on the lookout for "one final challenge".



Moves to the Australian A-League and links with West Ham and now QPR, following the appointment of Harry Redknapp as manager, have been suggested as possible destinations for the former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder, but Ibrahimovic believes Beckham would serve the French side's ambitious project well.



"I am sure there will be many offers for him from clubs all over the world, but it is a very exciting project here in Paris and if he still wants more trophies then this is the right club for him to join," Ibrahimovic said.



"We can win the Champions League over the next two seasons with the team that is being built."



Redknapp has also expressed his interest in bringing Beckham to Loftus Road, having invited him to train with Tottenham during the MLS off-season in January 2011.



"I worked with him at Tottenham when he came to train and he is top drawer. He was great," Redknapp said. "He's a top class professional and would be great to have around the place.



"He can set a fantastic example in terms of his approach to training, everything. He's not just a great player, but a great guy as well."

Manchester City hit man wants to join Balotelli

Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has praised his former Inter Milan teammate Mario Balotelli profusely and has claimed that the Italian wants to link up with him at Paris St. Germain.



The striker who recently scored a wonder goal against England in an international friendly spoke to the Italian media, saying that Balotelli, “is a player with great talent and, given his age and has a huge potential. He may be one of the best strikers in the world. He has matured a lot and I think he wants me to play with me again, now at PSG.”



Balotelli is facing a great deal of pressure at Manchester City and seems to be 4th in the pecking order with his consistent lack of professionalism further creating problems between him and City boss Roberto Mancini. The former Inter Milan forward has made just 5 starts this season and he may find himself making a move in January if PSG are able to place a strong bid on the table.



The Italian has scored just 2 goals for his club this season and has failed to make a telling impact on his team’s fortunes, unlike super sub Edin Dzeko. With the likes of AC Milan and Inter Milan also allegedly keen to sign Balotelli, we may well see him the Champions in January.

Ibrahimovic wins Swedish Player of the Year award

The former AC Milan star has successfully defended the title for the fifth successive time.

He has now picked up the award seven times in total Paris Saint-Germain attacker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been named Swedish Player of the Year following his impressive performances throughout 2012.





The powerful attacker netted an impressive 28 goals in 32 Serie A appearances for AC Milan in 2011-12, before leaving the Rossoneri for PSG in the summer transfer window.



He has since developed into a key player at the Ligue 1 giants, and has been rewarded for his fine form with the prestigious individual Swedish award.



"It's proof I have had a good year and that I keep developing as a player. I hope to stand here and say the same thing again next year," the PSG star said on receiving the award.



The trophy is given by Aftonbladet and the Swedish Football Association to the best male Swedish footballer each year.



Ibrahimovic has now won the award seven times in total, and six consecutive times.