Zlatan recalls Ancelotti’s box kick that hit his forehead at PSG

Zlatan Ibrahimovic said that during his 2012-13 season at Paris Saint-Germain under manager Carlo Ancelotti, the Brazilian coach once kicked a box after a game that struck Zlatan’s forehead. The Swede recounted the incident in a FOX Sports interview, quoting himself: "I was sitting there when he kicked a box that struck my forehead. I was taken aback because no one does that to me, but Carlo did. So yes, he has a dark side as well, which I appreciate because it serves as my trigger." Ancelotti, now in his first international role as Brazil manager, led the Selecao to a 1-1 draw with Morocco in their opening 2026 World Cup match and faces Haiti on June 19. The revelation offers a glimpse into the intensity of a coach who has won league titles across Europe but is known for a calm demeanor that can flare. For Nigerian fans following the World Cup, it raises questions about how such tough love affects player morale and performance, and whether the methods cross the line from motivation to mistreatment. As Brazil seeks to add another trophy to its storied history, observing how Ancelotti balances his ‘dark side’ with team cohesion could be instructive—especially ahead of the crucial June 19 match against Haiti.

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/06/14/world-cup-2026-what-ancelotti-did-to-me-zlatan-ibrahimovic/