Zlatan Ibrahimovic once 'backed down from a fight' against Premier League legend

Zlatan Ibrahimovic was once put in his place by a Premier League legend – and it may not be who you’d expect.

Ibrahimovic, 43, was one of the most gifted footballers of his generation, having registered 496 goals and 202 assists in 827 games during his club career.

The former Sweden international played for several iconic clubs – including Barcelona, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus and Manchester United – and is now an advisor to AC Milan's owners.

However, aside from his footballing talents, he was known for his eccentric personality and iconic interviews, as well as being an avid mixed martial artist.

Zlatan even admitted that he would “probably [be] something within the UFC" if he did not make the grade in football.

"My father wanted me to be a lawyer, but I had a hard time seeing me as a lawyer,” Ibrahimovic said in 2015 [via COMPLEX].

"But I'm a huge UFC fan, so probably something within the UFC or martial arts. I would see myself good in that."

His self-confidence and physical capability meant that not many players dared to get on his mean side, but one former Premier League star bravely hit back at the forward during his time at MLS outfit LA Galaxy.

Former Arsenal, Chelsea and England left-back Ashley Cole was teammates with Zlatan at the Los Angeles-based club back in 2018.

Ashley Cole and Zlatan Ibrahimovic have been opponents and teammates (Credit:Getty)

Cole, 44, was not one to back down from anyone, no matter how big they were.

The three-time Premier League winner described the Swede as “humble” but revealed a time the pair almost came to blows when speaking on Sky Sports’ ‘A League Of Their Own’ in October 2018.

“He [Zlatan] has two personalities; with us in the dressing room he was brilliant, quiet, very humble, but for the media he was god,” said Cole.

“He had moments where he would come in the dressing room and really let people know about their s*** touch, can't run, you're slow, but in front of the media, his persona changed.”

“He tried to once, he did throw his hands in the air,” he added.

“And I said 'Put your f***ing hands down', I'm deadly serious, honestly. I was thinking 'you might have a little point, but don't put your hands up’.”