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AC Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic could have been a Barcelona success if he was given time - Maxwell
Brazilian also wishes former team-mate well at AC Milan...
7 Sep 2010 14:58:00
By Paul Macdonald
Barcelona defender Maxwell believes Zlatan Ibrahimovic could have been a success at the club if he had been given longer to impress.
The 28-year-old Swede ended his spell at the Nou Camp last week, sealing a return to Italy with AC Milan in a deal that cost the Catalan giants almost €80 million (£67m) in terms of transfer value and salary.
Maxwell, who was also Ibrahimovic’s colleague when the pair played at Inter, said at a press conference: “I talked to him [Ibrahimovic]. He is motivated in his new career and we hope that it goes well for him. It was a decision made by both him and the club.
“The group was fine with Ibra. He has always behaved like a professional, in his training and efforts. He is very respectful. With a little more time, the parties would have been a better match, but players always want to play at this level, and when they don’t, they lack something.”
Maxwell also defended the comments of Ibrahimovic’s agent, Mino Raiola, who also represents the Brazilian, but has been openly critical of the club and coach Pep Guardiola.
He added: “[Mino] Raiola sought to defend his player. My relationship with him has always been very calm, very honest, and he is a person who helped me.”
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The 28-year-old Swede ended his spell at the Nou Camp last week, sealing a return to Italy with AC Milan in a deal that cost the Catalan giants almost €80 million (£67m) in terms of transfer value and salary.
Maxwell, who was also Ibrahimovic’s colleague when the pair played at Inter, said at a press conference: “I talked to him [Ibrahimovic]. He is motivated in his new career and we hope that it goes well for him. It was a decision made by both him and the club.
“The group was fine with Ibra. He has always behaved like a professional, in his training and efforts. He is very respectful. With a little more time, the parties would have been a better match, but players always want to play at this level, and when they don’t, they lack something.”
Maxwell also defended the comments of Ibrahimovic’s agent, Mino Raiola, who also represents the Brazilian, but has been openly critical of the club and coach Pep Guardiola.
He added: “[Mino] Raiola sought to defend his player. My relationship with him has always been very calm, very honest, and he is a person who helped me.”
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