Ibrahimovic to Tom Brady: ‘I’m not here to fail’, Modric ‘a leader on the pitch’ | OneFootball

RedBird Advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic admits fans give him the biggest pressure, but insists: ‘I’m not here to fail,’ and describes Milan star Luka Modric as a ‘leader on the pitch, not outspoken.’

Ibrahimovic joined Tom Brady for a chat on Fox Sports, where they discussed their lives and careers.

When talking about leadership abilities, Ibra, an advisor to Milan owner Gerry Cardinale, mentioned Milan star Modric: “I believe you are a leader or not a leader. Then we can be leaders in different ways. For example, we have Modric at Milan. He’s a leader, but he’s not outspoken; he doesn’t speak much. He’s a leader on the pitch; he does the leading things on the pitch with his quality and ability,” Ibra said.

Ibrahimovic’s interview with Tom Brady: Modric and Italian fans

“Then you have outspoken leaders, who take responsibility in different ways. When there’s a heat, he steps in front and takes care of it. Then you have the mentality and the mental part of the player, and that shapes wherever you go.”

Ibrahimovic and Brady went on to discuss fans’ involvement and mentality in football and American football.

“I had to perform in every training; that was how I was built. We were losing in training. I said, ‘Guys, I don’t lose even three games in training.’ That’s my mentality. I have to win,” said Ibrahimovic

“And then, in Europe, the pressure from the fans is so high. Italy, where I spend a lot of time, for them [football] is not only about being fans, it’s a religion. So if you play for their team, their team, whatever it is, Milan, Juventus, Inter…It’s more important than their family because they’re born into a situation where they’re a Milanista, a  Juventin, or an Interista.

“So now you are playing in a team that is theirs, in their world. Yeah, it’s theirs,” continued the ex-striker.

“So when it’s good, everybody’s singing, everything is good. When it’s bad, then you have to be strong. Mentally and as a person.

KITZBUEHEL, AUSTRIA – JANUARY 25: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, former AC Milan player, looks on as he attends the Men’s Downhill of the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup on January 25, 2025 in Kitzbuehel, Austria. (Photo by Christian Bruna/Getty Images)

“We have situations where they can wait outside the training. You come with the car, and they are going to smash your car. So if you come with a nice car, you’d better know which car you come with. Sometimes we come with a low-profile car, and we’re like, smash that, don’t worry, the important one is home; but you can imagine the pressure and the intensity and the heat from the fans.

“But it’s the opposite when things are going well, because when things are going well, you’re flying. You have to keep a balance because when you’re flying, you might relax.

“It depends on the individual you are,” Ibra added.

“We had situations in the stadium where they wanted to enter the pitch, get to the players and that. But for me… listen, I’m here, I’m doing my best. I’m not here to fail. I’m not trying to fail.

“If I’m not good enough, that’s another thing. But I don’t in my world, I don’t believe somebody is trying to do something to fail.

MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 08: The AC Milan fans show their support during the Serie A match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on March 08, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“In the fans’ world, they think differently. It’s like he [a fan] can take out your heart, and it belongs to him,” concluded the ex-striker.

“We are human beings; we make mistakes. Everything we do is not always guaranteed, but the heat is there, so imagine, as an athlete. There’s pressure from the club, media, your contract situation, a big contract, more pressure, and the fans are the big pressure in my world. I don’t know if I was lucky. I always won wherever I went.

I was always on the good side. There were moments when there was heat, but I was like: ‘This is my I don’t back down for nobody.’ I’m not here to fool around, I’m here to win, and I’m going to make you proud.”

Ibrahimovic has recently come under Milan fans’ criticism following the Rossoneri’s failed attempt to qualify for the Champions League.

The Rossoneri fired coach Massimiliano Allegri, and directors Giorgio Furlani, Geoffrey Moncada and Igli Tare.

Ibrahimovic is not directly employed by Milan and remains a key advisor to the Rossoneri owner, Gerry Cardinale.

Milan finished the 2025-26 Serie A campaign in fifth place, only snatching Europa League qualification.

Ibra will have an input in choosing Milan’s new coach and directors for the 2026-27 campaign.