Video: Zlatan Ibrahimovic puts Nantes defender Wilfried Moimbe in a choke-hold twice

PSG’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic (R) scored and received a booking in the game against Nantes

There is a saying in football, “Don’t mess with Zlatan!” It holds true – always. The Swedish striker is not one to be messed with and that was on show when Paris Saint-Germain beat Nantes 4-1 in a Ligue 1 match at the Stade de la Beaujoire on Saturday.

Although Nantes scored first after Yacine Bammou scored with a header from a corner kick, Ibrahimovic sparked a second-half comeback when he scored just three minutes after the restart. Goals from Edinson Cavani, Angel Di Maria and Serge Aurier then completed the rout.

But there was one moment in the game when the 33-year-old near 6’5” front-man was up against a worthy adversary in Nantes’ Wilfried Moimbe. The 26-year-old, who is only 5’8”, held off Ibrahimovic as he attempted to go after a loose ball to prevent a goal kick.

Ibrahimovic, stopped dead in his tracks by Moimbe, then proceeded to put his arm around his opponent’s neck. Although it wasn’t a gesture meant with any malice in it, Moimbe was not at all impressed and tried to get away by first knocking his head back.

As Ibrahimovic left him and turned away, Moimbe was in an aggressive mood and wouldn’t have his opponent simply walking away from him. He pulled Ibrahimovic back by yanking his shirt before walking past him – a clear attempt to impose his supremacy.

The big Swede, although slightly taken aback at first, recovered and playfully held Moimbe in a chokehold again before releasing him when his teammate came to his rescue.

Of course, Ibrahimovic was smiling all the while and even proceeded to hug his opponent in a reconciliatory manner, laughing off the supposed chokehold.

Ibrahimovic is only three goals away from breaking Pauleta’s record for most goals scored by a PSG player. Pauleta had scored 109 goals between 2003 and 2008 while Ibrahimovic has 107 in a little over three seasons at the French club.