“I want to reach out” – Zlatan Ibrahimovic shares a rare, kind message to a heartbroken World Cup teenager
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, known for his bold and confident style, surprised many by showing support for a rising star in the FIFA World Cup 2026 after a tough knockout loss.
The knockout rounds have been tough, with underdog teams facing heartbreak. Just last night, Cape Verde, one of the smallest nations ever in the World Cup, played a close match against the champions Argentina, only losing by a little bit of Lionel Messi’s magic as he set another record.
Cape Verde showed the true spirit of the World Cup—something other unexpected teams like DR Congo, South Africa, and Australia have also embraced. Australia was the latest to feel the pain, missing two penalties in a shootout against Egypt. 18-year-old Lucas Herrington hit the crossbar, ending Australia’s run.
But after the game, Herrington got some surprising support. Zlatan Ibrahimovic offered kind words during the American World Cup broadcast, breaking his usual tough persona.
The match was intense, with Australia’s captain Harry Souttar starting the penalty shootout badly by missing his kick. Egypt’s Mo Salah calmly scored a clever panenka, helping his team aim for the last 16—something African teams like Morocco have managed, but Ghana, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Algeria, and others haven’t.
Herrington’s miss was the final one, and he was clearly upset. That’s when Ibrahimovic spoke up on FOX Sports, telling him not to listen to any hate and that he could reach out to Zlatan himself if he needed support.
“Penalties are like a lottery,” Zlatan said. “If you score, you’re a hero. If not, you’re seen as zero. But I want to tell Herrington, you’re only 18 and just starting your career. You showed a lot of courage by stepping up. Many wouldn’t do that. You’re the best — don’t listen to the negativity. And if you want to talk, I’m here.”
Herrington was touched when told about these words after the match. “I’m usually very hard on myself, so hearing that from a legend really means a lot,” he said. “I’ll keep working hard and hope for more chances like this.”
Zlatan hasn’t been so kind to everyone, though. He criticized the former Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman strongly for his choices during the tournament.
He also gave a warning to England fans, pointing out one “struggling” player who’s still a tough spot for coach Thomas Tuchel.