Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes that Real Madrid’s new signing Gareth Bale isn’t worth his transfer fee and will need patience in adapting to Spanish football.
Ibrahimovic, who was the subject of a transfer to Barcelona in 2009 worth around €66m, has reflected on Bale’s move to the Spanish capital this summer for a fee reported between €90m and a world record €100m.
“No footballer is worth paying that amount of money for,” commented Ibrahimovic in conversation this week with the BBC.
“There is a lot of pressure on him. I know that when Zinedine Zidane played for Madrid, the fans were whistling against him.
“If they can whistle against Zidane, for me one of the best players in history, I hope Bale has a lot of patience.”
Ibrahimovic’s own experience of La Liga ended after just the one season with Barcelona.
“I had a dream to come to Barcelona. But afterwards I am thinking that maybe you should keep your dreams, instead of making it come true.
“Bale’s move is similar to my transfer to Barcelona, but what creates that situation and the fee is the media, the selling club and how desperate the buying club are to buy a big name.”
The 31-year-old considered if he would move to England in the future.
“To come to England? My time has passed. I am above 30, I have a good relationship with PSG, with the team.
“I feel that I can bring out all my qualities at PSG. I have a big responsibility also at PSG. So in my mind, no.
“But then you never know what happens in football. When I went to Barcelona, I was living my dream.
“In my head I was there for five years. In the end I was there for only one. So every time I plan my future, I change it. So better to take one day at a time.”
