Ibrahimovic says new teammate Pavon is 'too good for MLS'

Bashing Major League Soccer is becoming second nature to Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Days after criticizing the MLS playoff system, Ibrahimovic seemingly took a backhanded shot at his counterparts while saying the league’s newest arrival, Cristian Pavon, is on a higher competitive level.

“He is very good,” Ibrahimovic said after the Galaxy’s victory over Dallas on Wednesday, according to ESPN. “He is too good for MLS.”

“I think MLS will not have him for a long time,” he added. “We should enjoy him while he is here.”

Pavon joined the Galaxy earlier this month in a season-long loan deal from Boca Juniors after the two teams failed to agree on a transfer fee.

In his second match with the Galaxy, Pavon played a role in the buildup to Ibrahimovic’s opening goal. Los Angeles then went on to win 2-1, ending a three-game losing streak.

Ibrahimovic’s praise of Pavon seems to fall in line with his recent criticism of MLS.

Last week, the 37-year-old voiced his displeasure with how the league’s playoff system works.

“I think the system is shit,” he said, according to ESPN. “How can you learn mentality if you only have to reach the playoffs?

“You just need to win the playoffs, and that’s it. The results in each game are important, but here, if you come in seventh place, you make the playoffs and win, you are champion.

“For me, the mentality is every day, training the way you train is the way you play a game, and with the MLS system, how do you create that mentality to be on your toes 24 hours? It’s very difficult.”

Ibrahimovic failed to make the playoffs with the Galaxy in his first season. But he’s put the team – which currently sits fifth in the Western Conference – on track to make the postseason this term while scoring 18 goals in 20 matches.