The one and only time Zlatan Ibrahimovic backed down from a fight in his career was against a Premier League legend

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has never been one to shirk confrontation, whether it be against an opponent or with a teammate.

Ibrahimovic is currently working as an advisor for AC Milan, who he had three different spells at, after retiring from football in 2023.

Last month, the Swedish legend had the Amazon Prime panel in stitches when discussing his role as he explained, "I am the boss, and I am in charge, all the others work for me."

Yet while he's always been a main character, referring to himself as a 'Lion' on a regular basis, there was one instance where Ibrahimovic is said to have froze.

Ashley Cole played with the former Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United striker during his spell in the MLS with LA Galaxy.

Ibrahimovic was beloved by the media in the United States, giving them so much gold with his quotes.

But while Cole described him as "very humble" in the dressing room, there was one occasion where Cole had to put in his place after he was mouthing off.

Speaking on Sky Sports' A League Of Their Own, Cole admitted: “He has two personalities, with us in the dressing room he was brilliant, quiet, very humble but for the media he was god.

“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.”

Image: Getty

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

“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’.”

Ibrahimovic spent two seasons with Galaxy, scoring 53 goals in 58 games.

Cole was there for three campaigns at the back-end of his career, before returning to England with Derby County.

As a coach, he's worked for Derby, Everton, Birmingham and the England senior side.