The big Swede seemed so cordial after training.

Speaking with the assembled group of media following practice at Dignity Health Sports Park Wednesday morning, Zlatan Ibrahimovic was highly complimentary of his cross-town rival and runaway MVP favorite.

“I think he’s effective, he scores goals, he does assists and I think he’s at the top of his game now” stated the LA Galaxy striker. “He’s doing good and he’s important to his team and for MLS, he’s very important.”

Later in the day, Zlatan had a one on one with ESPN FC’s Herculez Gomez. Maybe it was Gomez’s comments earlier in the week declaring LA an “LAFC town” that had the big man fired up, but when Gomez challenged Ibra to compare himself to the Mexican international, Ibra did not hesitate to respond.

"[Carlos Vela] is playing in MLS and he's in his prime. When I was 29 where was I?"



Ahead of El Tráfico, Zlatan says he's the best player in MLS "by far" (via @ahoraonuncaespn) pic.twitter.com/nAqYrM47sB — ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 18, 2019

Is this a bit of gamesmanship from Zlatan or is Ibra merely messaging his own ego? We’ll know for sure on Friday.