What Zlatan Ibrahimovic likes most about Qatar is everything.
He made that point in a Sweden press conference on Tuesday, giving 10/10 ratings to all aspects of the World Cup experience and saluting the country’s lack of crime and drug problems.
The 41-year-old Milan forward had no role in the Qatar 2022 finals due to Sweden’s failure to qualify, but was a guest at the finals when he was pictured at Argentina’s preview match against France alongside tennis superstar Novak Djokovic. .
Asked about his impressions of the tournament and the country as a whole, Ibrahimovic said: “It was fantastic. As amazing as it gets. I was there for two days with my family.”
Summarizing his ratings for all aspects he encountered, he said: “Organization: 10 points. Experience: 10 points. Match: 10 points. Crowd: 10 points. Food: 10 points. Journey: 10 points Everything was 10 points.’
When it was pointed out to Ibrahimovic that Qatar had faced criticism for alleged human rights abuses, Ibrahimovic stuck to his theme and gave the country the final grade.
“Ten points,” he said.
Pressure groups say women and people from LGBTQ+ communities are being treated particularly badly in Qatar, along with migrant workers.
Amnesty International said before the World Cup that hundreds of thousands of such workers were being exploited and pointed out that thousands had died suddenly or unexpectedly.
The same organization said last week that “many thousands of workers have been unable to obtain compensation for the appalling abuses associated with the World Cup” and called on soccer’s world governing body FIFA to ensure redress.
Qatar has been accused by its critics of trying to “sport” its reputation by hosting a successful major event that runs smoothly and portrays the country in a positive light internationally.
However, Ibrahimovic won’t be laying such accusations at Qatar’s door, having had a 10/10 time during his stay.
In another interview with SVT television, the former Barcelona, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain forward added: “I think they gave the opportunity to get a job. How they treated them afterwards, I wasn’t there and I didn’t see it.” so I can’t judge and answer those questions.”
Ibrahimovic played for PSG during the early years of the Qatar Sports Investments era at the Parc des Princes and Qatar club chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi joined him and Djokovic for their World Cup final photo.
The veteran Swede therefore has this close connection and Ibrahimovic said: “Qatar as a country I think is a system that works. Are there drugs? No. Is there crime? No. Is there crime in Sweden? Yes, very Drugs? Yes.
“The Qatari system works. Sweden’s? It works, but I don’t know if it works 100 percent.”
