World Cup fans convinced Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimovic have had enough of Alexi Lalas ALREADY after tense Fox TV clashes
Just two days after the start of the World Cup, viewers in the US think Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are running out of patience with Alexi Lalas on Fox’s report.
Henry had won the World Cup with France in 1998 and was considered by many to be one of the best strikers to ever play the game. He shares that reputation with Ibrahimovic, who failed to win the World Cup with Sweden but had a dominant career in Europe with several Italian teams, including Manchester United, PSG and Barcelona.
Meanwhile, Lalas was a good player for the USA in the 90s, representing his country 96 times, including the last World Cup hosted by the USA in 1994.
As an analyst, Lalas has always preferred to have polarizing views, not just on football but with his proud support of Donald Trump. But with two of the game’s great players, he doesn’t yet seem to integrate naturally with them.
Lalas first gently teased his new colleague Ibrahimovic by saying live on air that he thought Norway and Manchester City forward Erling Haaland would have a more ‘legendary’ reputation than him after a good World Cup.
“That’s a big statement,” Henry said mischievously to host Rebecca Lowe, to which Ibrahimovic replied: “I’m not sure about that.” I saw more of myself everywhere. He’s a killer in a box, but that’s enough.’
Fans talked about some viral moments in the early days of FOX World Cup coverage
Many think there is tension between Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Alexi Lalas
A fan shared the clip on X and wrote: ‘As an American, I feel secondhand embarrassment. If he were a good specialist, the situation would be different.
‘It’s like it’s a shame, Zlatan was a much more complete player with the ball at his feet (than Haaland) and was 1/1 for his size with flexibility and acrobatics.’
Later, before the USA’s first game against Paraguay, Ibrahimovic and Lalas confronted each other, with the Swede accusing Lalas of trying to pressure the home team.
‘They have all the support they need. “I have Alexi with me if he doesn’t put too much pressure on them,” Ibrahimovic said before Lalas started laughing.
Later, as Lowe went to a commercial break, Ibrahimovic and Lalas continued to disagree on whether the U.S. team had pressure or opportunity ahead of them.
“Hang on guys, we gotta go,” Lowe said in the middle of the segment.
A different fan shared the moment: ‘The constant weirdness of this commentary team was the best part of the World Cup.’
Many people responded to discuss the exchange, with one person saying: ‘It’s great that Zlatan keeps provoking Alexi.’ Another said: ‘Glad to see someone else noticed this.’
Rebecca Lowe and Thierry Henry stunned by Lalas’ use of the W-word on live broadcast
Lalas, top row, third from left, played 96 times for the United States in the 1990s
After his playing days, Lalas became one of the most well-known football analysts in the United States.
Later, when asked about his expectations for the USA opening match, Ibrahimovic replied: ‘Everyone is getting a bit nervous except me and Thierry Henry. We’re used to the big stage.’
Henry soon stepped in when Lowe asked the panel to judge LISA’s performance of the World Cup song ‘Goals’ at the opening ceremony.
It was a great performance,” Ibrahimovic said. ‘I really had a lot of fun, I enjoyed the music. I hope the USA team can perform at the same level.
‘On the pitch we are in the future, here we are in the present,’ he added, before Henry interjected: ‘And Alexi is part of the past.’
The clip was even shared by the Fox Sports social media account with the following headline: ‘Thierry Henry delivers a friendly blow to Alexi Lalas’.
The American actor experienced one of the most viral moments of the first two days.
During preparations for the match between Canada and Bosnia, Lowe directed the team to promote Corden’s new late-night World Cup show, After Hours.
‘Can we talk about James Corden for a second?’ asked Lalas and the panel of two football legends, Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Lalas was the first to chime in, but it’s fair to say no one expected her to make the comment in front of millions of TV viewers.
‘Ah! What do you call them?’ Lalas began and added: ‘Not quite the kit?’
Henry won the World Cup with France and is considered one of the best strikers ever.
Ibrahimovic has had a dominant career at club level with multiple teams in Europe
All three of his colleagues were immediately stunned by the comment, while Henry stared at the camera in shock.
Feeling the need to bring the conversation back to normal, Lowe then replied: ‘Okay… we’re lucky to be on American television because the W word is on British television…’
Lalas’ comment was a reference to a derogatory British slang expression referring to someone who has not played in a match but is fully qualified.
During an episode of the show’s first episode on Thursday night, Corden appeared in full USA training kit to visit the team’s training base ahead of the World Cup.
