Football
ZLATAN BLASTS XHAKA AFTER SWITZERLAND WIN
A captain should think about the future, not himself”
Switzerland’s impressive 4-1 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina at the FIFA World Cup 2026 has sparked unexpected controversy, with Swedish football legend Zlatan Ibrahimović publicly criticizing Swiss captain Granit Xhaka for taking a late penalty that denied young star Johan Manzambi a potential World Cup hat-trick.
The Swiss side dominated the Group B encounter, with Johan Manzambi emerging as the star of the show. The talented youngster scored twice in the second half, finding the net in the 74th and 90th minutes, while Rubin Vargas added another goal in the 84th minute.
Deep into stoppage time, Switzerland were awarded a penalty. Rather than allowing Manzambi the opportunity to complete a memorable hat-trick, captain Granit Xhaka stepped forward and converted from the spot to make it 4-1.
Working as a World Cup analyst, Zlatan Ibrahimović did not hide his disappointment.
“Xhaka is a big name, an experienced captain, but that’s exactly why he should have given the ball away,” Zlatan said.
“Nobody remembers a veteran scoring another penalty. People remember a young player announcing himself to the world with a hat-trick.”
The former Swedish superstar argued that moments like these can define a young player’s career and that experienced leaders should help create opportunities for the next generation.
The incident has already generated debate among fans and pundits. Some believe Xhaka had every right to take the penalty as team captain and designated spot-kick taker, while others agree with Zlatan that allowing Manzambi to complete a hat-trick would have been a powerful gesture of leadership.
Despite the controversy, Switzerland celebrated a convincing victory that moved them into a strong position in Group B. The performance of Johan Manzambi was one of the major talking points of the match, with the young midfielder continuing to establish himself as one of the breakout stars of the tournament.
Whether Zlatan’s criticism is justified or not, one thing is certain: Johan Manzambi’s dazzling display ensured that Switzerland left the field with three points and a rising star firmly in the global spotlight.