Alexi Lalas’ absence from the World Cup panel on Friday was noticeable.
The former USMNT star was missing from the Fox studio show for Friday’s USA-Australia match, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic could not resist taking a shot at his absent colleague.
“Chaps, Alexi left us,” host Rebecca Lowe said.
“Who?” Ibrahimovic asked sarcastically.
Lowe then tried to keep things moving, noting that Lalas would be back.
“Your plan worked,” co-panelist Thierry Henry joked to Ibrahimovic.
“Don’t you bring me into this,” Lowe responded. “No chance.”
Ibrahimovic then looked into the camera and delivered the punchline.
“America, you’re welcome.”
Ibrahimovic is new to Fox’s World Cup coverage this year, but the Swedish legend has wasted little time bickering with Lalas, the former USMNT defender and longtime network analyst.
Ibrahimovic has repeatedly taken playful-but-pointed shots at Lalas during their first tournament together.
Earlier this week, Ibrahimovic appeared to take a shot at Lalas after he criticized France’s “arrogance” during a so-so first half against Senegal.
“It’s not arrogance, it’s confidence,” Ibrahimovic said. “Ignorant people will say it’s arrogance. Intelligent people will say it’s confidence.”
The back-and-forth continued in a more playful setting during a lie-detector bit on “After Hours with James Corden,” when Ibrahimovic was asked whether he respected the opinions of all his fellow Fox panelists.
He answered “yes,” only to be hit with a lie alert.
Ibrahimovic was later asked to explain himself during Fox’s broadcast, and he used the moment to take another jab.
“Rebecca, you look great. Thierry, you look sharp, Monsieur,” Ibrahimovic said. “Alexi … we can discuss.”
