Wednesday 4 April 2018 13:20, UK
'The perfect LA story'.
David Beckham's arrival in Los Angeles in 2007 had a Hollywood feel about it, but Zlatan Ibrahimovic's MLS entrance was "bigger than ever", according to those around LA Galaxy.
The enigmatic Swede was mobbed on landing in California last week and gave fans a strike worthy of the silver screen.
He lashed in a 40-yard equaliser and then a late winner in a stunning 4-3 win over newfound rivals LAFC. Has there ever been anything more Zlatan?
He surprised even those closest to the club.
"I still get goosebumps when I see it," says LA Galaxy manager Sigi Schmid. "It's one of the best goals I've seen anyone score and I've watched a lot of goals."
Beckham's shirts had to be boxed up and moved out of the club shop to make room for 'Ibrahimovic' jerseys, which continue to fly off the rails - even at $150 (£107)
"It's bigger than I've ever seen, huge," says Galaxy retail manager Sean Bell. "His debut was the perfect LA story."
Ibrahimovic charmed US reporters with his post-match comments on Saturday, telling them "every movie has a good ending" - but is his film-star persona the same when the cameras stop rolling?
"He's down to earth," says team-mate Emmanuel Boateng, who has watched Ibrahimovic helping Galaxy academy players since arriving.
"He was there giving them advice, making it easier for them to step up and train with us. He's a good guy to have in the locker room, makes jokes and he's always relaxed."
Ibrahimovic has dubbed the US league the 'MLZ'. On this evidence, he's right.
