Watch as Zlatan Ibrahimovic elbows rival defender Mohamed El Mounir in face fracturing his cheek bone and forcing him to have surgery
ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC left an opponent in hospital with a fractured cheekbone during his incredible hat-trick performance for LA Galaxy in El Trafico.
The former Manchester United striker, 37, scored a perfect hat-trick of right foot, header and left foot against Galaxy's rivals LAFC during the 3-2 win in California.
But replays have shown he should not have been on the pitch after elbowing Libyan midfielder Mohamed El-Munir.
The 27-year-old has shared pictures online showing a dent in the side of his face resulting from the fracture.
The injury, known as a zygoma fracture, has to be seen by a specialist before he can have surgery.
When confronted over the incident by a member of LAFC's coaching staff, Ibra allegedly said: "Go home you little b***h, go home."
The Swede could face a retrospective ban over the incident, just as he did in 2017 when he elbowed Bournemouth's Tyrone Mings at Old Trafford.
Mings had already stepped on Ibrahimovic's head — before claiming it was accidental.
The striker admitted a charge of violent conduct and was banned for three games.
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Ibrahimovic said after the match: "When you play against a rival like that, in a full stadium, I get pumped. I get adrenaline.
"This is considered to be the biggest game in the league and I show up in the biggest games.
"I am in play-off mode every day."
