Recently, the incomparable Zlatan Ibrahimovic showed us all how it’s done with the #MatrixChallenge.
But tennis superstar Novak Djokovic may have one-upped the Swedish legend with his perfect response to the challenge on Friday.
Before he was knocked out of the MLS Cup playoffs, Ibrahimovic showed his skills in the Matrix Challenge by balancing a ball on his chest while he pretended to dodge bullets like Neo in that movie that was very much a product of its time. He tagged a few others like Paul Pogba to follow him on the challenge, because that’s what you do on the internet these days if you’re over the age of 30.
Matrix challenge: @paulpogba @DjokerNole @TeamKhabib @MinoRaiola SHOW ME #matrixchallenge pic.twitter.com/ZEUk8o0Wi0
— Zlatan Ibrahimović (@Ibra_official) September 27, 2019
One of those tagged by Zlatan was Djokovic, the Serbian netter who is a supporter of Red Star Belgrade. He’s also good friends with Bastian Schweinsteiger’s wife, fellow Serbian tennis player Ana Ivanovic.
The Joker showed he’s got some pretty hilarious soccer skills to match Zlatan with his response to the Matrix Challenge.
#matrixchallenge thanks for the nom @Ibra_official. @LeaderOfHorde @KMbappe @Cristiano show me what you got pic.twitter.com/NQzzs73SLF
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) November 1, 2019
Nailed it.
Djokovic has now challenged Kylian Mbappé and Cristiano Ronaldo to match his inimitable ability, but it’s unlikely either of those football stars will be able to live up to the lofty show of skill.
If only the Galaxy had signed Djokovic to join Zlatan, the Swede would still be playing in MLS instead of having been knocked out by crosstown rival LAFC in the playoffs. Instead, we’re stuck with an MLS Cup final between the Seattle Sounders and Toronto FC for the third time in four years.
Thanks, Zlatan.