There are a few recurring questions in sports. What makes you go there and perform? Is it the motivation off the field or your ability to cope with the situation? Either way, athletes carry many expectations of both fans and experts. After Biaggio Ali Walsh’s recent MMA win, soccer icon Zlatan Ibrahimovic mentioned the mentality you need to have to succeed, like Walsh’s grandfather, Muhammad Ali.

Ibrahimovic’s self-confidence and on-field performances went hand in hand. And the same can be said about Ali. Even though the Swede did not win any major individual awards, he undoubtedly left his mark on soccer.

You cannot be taken seriously if you don’t perform, says Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has played for many teams in his career. La Galaxy, Manchester United, and AC Milan to name a few. Throughout his stints, he developed a reputation for being vocal about his opinions. Not only did he express himself unabashedly, he also performed on the field.

While speaking to Piers Morgan, the British journalist asked Ibrahimovic about the importance of doing things on the battlefield after all the trash talk, drawing parallels to boxing great Muhammad Ali. The boxing icon was infamous not only for his banter but also for following through in the ring.

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Ibrahimovic said, “You’re a clown, I agree. You’re a clown,” referring to athletes who get absorbed in the trash-talking instead of the sport. The former LA Galaxy star’s response was rather spontaneous. By then, however, Morgan had already pointed out Ibrahimovic’s similarity to Ali in being a practical doer rather than a talker.

Ibrahimovic also claims to be a winner because he knows he will do what he says and has a winning mentality. The Swedish further mentioned that it’s the vision that will take him to the destination. Looks like Muhamed Ali’s mentality has profoundly impacted Zlatan in his career, just like it did with his grandson, Biaggio Ali Walsh.

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Muhammed Ali’s grandson wins an impressive fight

Muhammed Ali seems to have continued his legacy years after he passed away. Biaggio Ali Walsh, the grandson of Ali, won his 5th MMA game recently with a two-round knockout against Ed Daviz. It was the 25-year-old’s 5th career win. Looks like the mentality has carried on to the next generations as well.

Previously, Walsh had expressed the advice from his grandfather, “One of the best [pieces of] advice he ever gave me was ‘be humble.’ My grandfather, obviously, he’s notorious for the trash talk he did but he wasn’t actually that person. That was the guy who would put on a mask in order to get people to get seats and come to the fight and stuff like that. Behind closed doors, he was the most confident, well-spoken, humble person you will ever meet.”

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Ibrahimovic recently retired from soccer after becoming one of the few players to score a goal in three different decades.