Why I attacked Azpilicueta - Ibrahimovic

AC Milan star, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, has hit out at Chelsea captain, Cesar Azpilicueta, describing him as stupid.

He lampooned the Spaniard for trying to 'act big', revealing that his shoulder barge on the Blues captain during Sweden's match against Spain was deliberate.

Ibrahimovic and Azpilicueta clashed during a World Cup qualifying match between the two European countries on November 14.

The Swede landed a nasty shoulder tackle on the Spain defender, who stayed on the ground for a few minutes.

Ibrahimovic acted as if he had been pushed into Azpilicueta by another Spain player, with replays suggesting that the 49-year-old was not pushed.

The former Manchester United star only received a yellow card for the incident and it seemingly wasn't checked by VAR.

"The other day in the national team, I gave a tackle to [Azpilicueta]. I did it on purpose.

"I'm not ashamed to say it because he did something stupid to my player," he told the Guardian.

"Acting big to my player. It was a stupid thing but I would still do it to make him understand.

"You don't f*****g do that. You don't have balls to do it against me. But I will show you what happens if you do it to me.

"That's why I did it. What can he say?'

"He will not say it to me but he will say it to my player - who will do nothing because he's too nice. It was not a good thing by me, but I would still do it. That's me. I'm not ashamed to say it.

"It's not about missing the play-offs. It's about making the guy understand you don't take the p**s out of somebody laying [on the ground],' he added.

"You don't attack a dog that doesn't talk. Attack the one able to do something.

"It's too easy to pick on my teammates who are 20-years-old and very nice guys. I hope he understands now."