Sweden legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic offered words of encouragement to Australia’s Lucas Herrington after the 18-year-old missed a crucial penalty in his side’s FIFA World Cup Round of 32 defeat to Egypt. Ibrahimovic praised the young defender’s courage for stepping up, reminding him that penalty shootouts can turn players into heroes or villains in an instant.
Herrington said the message from the Swedish icon meant a great deal, admitting he is often his own harshest critic. The teenager also thanked Australia’s coaching staff for trusting him with the penalty despite the heartbreaking outcome.
