Zlatan Ibrahimovic wowed by seven-year-old’s US national anthem rendition

‘MVP of the game!’

Singing might not be the first skill you’d go to Zlatan Ibrahimovic for advice on, but praise from the Swedish footballing legend is high indeed – especially when you’re seven years old.

LA Galaxy forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic (9) celebrates his goal against the Seattle Sounders in the first half of an MLS soccer match in Carson, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018. The Galaxy won 3-0. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

That’s exactly what young Malea Emma enjoyed after her remarkable performance of the US national anthem before LA Galaxy’s home game on Sunday evening.

A smile and a clap from the big man – reflective of the powerful performance.

Emma won a competition run by the Los Angeles club to sing the Star-Spangled Banner before the match, and even got to meet Ibrahimovic after the game.

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The 36-year-old followed up on his praise too, retweeting the seven-year-old’s performance after the game.

Which made Emma rather happy.

Emma proved to be a good luck charm for Ibrahimovic, as he scored his 501st career goal, and 18th of the season, to help seal a 3-0 win for Galaxy over the Seattle Sounders.

Galaxy are now seventh in the MLS Western Conference after 30 games.

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.

The 15-year-old son of Tiger Woods tied for 61st among the 74 players who finished. The top five advanced to regional qualifying.

Woods shot 40 on the front nine, opening bogey-double bogey. He followed a birdie on the par-3 fifth with another double bogey. He shot 41 on the back with three bogeys and a double bogey.

The U.S. Open will be played June 13-16 at Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina.

Woods also struggled in February in a pre-qualifier for the PGA Tour's Cognizant Classic, taking a 12 on a hole and shooting a 16-over 86 at Lost Lake Golf Club in Hobe Sound.

Woods has played the 36-hole PNC Championship with his father the last four years in a scramble format.

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

FILE - Charlie Woods tees off during the final round of the PNC Championship golf tournament Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, in Orlando, Fla. Charlie Woods, the 15-year-old son of Tiger Woods, failed to qualify for his first U.S. Open after shooting 9-over 81 on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida.(AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski, File)