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Zlatan Ibrahimovic says it is a “mistake” for athletes like LeBron James to discuss political issues. The AC Milan star said the basketball icon should stick to talking about sports.
James has spent most of his career speaking out openly on many non-sporting issues, including founding his school I Promise as well as the More Than a Vote organization, which helped people vote during the 2020 presidential election.
The Lakers star was notoriously told to “shut up and dribble” by TV personality Laura Ingraham in response to James’ discussion of political matters.
What did Ibrahimovic say?
“[James] is phenomenal at what he does, but I don’t like when people have some sort of status, they’re going to be in politics at the same time, ”Ibrahimovic said Discovery + in Sweden. “Do what you’re good at. Do the category you do. I play soccer because I’m the best at soccer.
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“I don’t play politics. If I were a political politician, I would be playing politics. That’s the first mistake people make when they get famous and gain some status. Stay out. Make it. just what you do. better because it doesn’t look right. “
What did James say about politics?
James was named Male Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press in 2020 after leading the Lakers to an NBA title, marking the fourth time he has claimed the award.
However, he went on to say that he was more proud of what he had done off the pitch in 2020 as part of the campaign to support Black Lives Matter and other organizations fighting for equality.
“I always know what I’m doing on the pitch and obviously I’m giving it my all in the game,” James told the AP.
“But I can have a bigger impact on the floor right now, more than I can on the floor. And I want to continue to inspire people with the way I play basketball. But there is so much more. things I can do on the ground to help cultivate people, inspire people, bring people together, empower them. “
The James’ I Promise School, which he opened in 2018, now has more than 450 students in grades three to six, while its affordable housing project for 50 families was also recently launched.
The Lakers star’s More Than a Vote campaign drew more than 42,000 volunteers to work at polling stations in November, as James sought to help black voters and young voters get to the polls.
Further reading
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