Zlatan Ibrahimović, the prolific soccer striker, has announced the end of his broadcasting career with Fox Sports. His departure came on-air during the network's coverage of the 2026 World Cup Final, marking a conclusion to his short but impactful stint as a commentator.
"I have been talking a lot the last one and half months, so these will be my last words," Ibrahimović stated during the broadcast. He proceeded to thank his co-hosts individually and expressed his hope that "America, you enjoyed it as much as I did." He explicitly called it "my farewell to this studio."
When host Rebecca Lowe sought clarification, Ibrahimović confirmed, "This was the first and last time for me, so thank you everybody." This announcement follows his retirement from professional soccer at the end of the 2022-23 season.
Ibrahimović, known for his tenure with numerous top clubs including Inter Milan, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Manchester United, brought a distinctive presence to the Fox Sports studio. His time in the American market included playing for the LA Galaxy in 2018 and 2019. His confidence and extensive soccer knowledge were noted as making him a natural on television, often pairing entertainingly with former player Thierry Henry. He also engaged in notable on-air exchanges with former USMNT defender Alexis Lalas, offering sharp commentary on player and team dynamics.
"It has been an absolute pleasure to share this studio with you guys," Ibrahimović said in his farewell remarks. "You made it very easy for me. I also want to thank Fox studio. I want to thank America. I also want to thank all the other people you don’t see."
Ibrahimović's professional career was marked by transitions, having played for 10 different clubs. He was Sweden's all-time leading goal scorer and achieved significant accolades, including a fourth-place finish for the FIFA Ballon d'Or and being named Ligue 1's Player of the Year in 2013. His foray into broadcasting was seen by some as a potential new chapter following his playing career.