World Cup 2018: David Beckham and Zlatan Ibrahimovic broker bizarre Ikea bet
Written by News on 07/07/2018
David Beckham has entered into a bizarre bet with Zlatan Ibrahimovic ahead of England’s World Cup quarter-final clash with Sweden.
Ibrahimovic, Sweden’s all-time top goalscorer, threw down the gauntlet to the former England captain by offering to buy him dinner anywhere in the world if the Three Lions win on Saturday.
But if Sweden beat England, Ibrahimovic has called for Beckham to treat him to a piece of furniture of his choice from his home country’s famous retailer Ikea.
In a post on social media, Beckham accepted the bet but insisted Ibrahimovic must attend an England game at Wembley wearing the team’s replica jersey if Gareth Southgate’s team is victorious.
Beckham’s former club LA Galaxy, which Ibrahimovic joined in March, sealed the agreement with a post on social media.
The two former Paris St-Germain teammates have seen their football careers follow similar paths, with both also having starred for Manchester United and AC Milan.
Ibrahimovic, 36, retired from international football after Euro 2016 but there had been speculation he may return to play in Russia this summer.
He lashed out at the media in his home country after he was left out of Sweden’s World Cup squad, insisting he should have been included.
“I think it’s the biggest party in football, playing in the World Cup,” Ibrahimovic said.
“All the best players are there. Zlatan is not there… he should have been there. But he’s not there.”
England will attempt to reach a World Cup semi-final for the first time since 1990 when they take on Sweden at the Samara Arena on Saturday.
It will be the third time the two sides have met in the last five World Cups.
They faced each other in the group stages of the 2002 and 2006 tournaments, with the tightly fought matches ending up 1-1 and 2-2 respectively.
The match kicks off at 3pm UK time.
(c) Sky News 2018: World Cup 2018: David Beckham and Zlatan Ibrahimovic broker bizarre Ikea bet
