Super Zlatan leaves fans in awe at the Moscow FIFA Fan Fest

Jacob Icia, reporting from Moscow, Russia

Every business was reduced to an afterthought at the Moscow FIFA Fan Fest on Friday evening when former Manchester United Zlatan Ibrahimovic took to the main stage shortly after the Egypt versus Iran Group ‘A’ match watched by thousands of fans at the park.

His visit to the Fest was incognito, so most of the fans were uncertain whether indeed the LA Galaxy star was the one on stage or a look-alike.

Personally, it took me almost half a minute to synchronize the face and the voice I have always interacted with through television during his pre or post-match interviews.

“Welcome to Russia, they started so well… enjoy the World Cup and remember Zlatan is here…” remarked the Swede, who told journalists a World Cup without him is not worthy, weeks before the 21st edition kickoff.

Over 15 security men around him had rough time as trying to block the enthusiastic fans charging towards the former Paris St. Germain striker, some scrambling for a space to take a distant selfie with him.

The excitement was real, and yours truly had to lift high his colleague, camera person, Jedidah Njue, to film the unexpected guest as he dashed towards his tinted car.

She asked me why I was that enthusiastic towards a player who is now playing in the “little followed’’ America’s Major Soccer League (MLS), and I had to remind her that was the man who compared himself Manchester United great Eric Cantona superlatively. He said, “I ‘m the god of Manchester, he (Cantona) was the king.”

So what do you do when a god descends without notice where you are?