Why Zlatan's move to MLS has already paid for itself

MLS, welcome to Zlatan.

Leave it to one of football's most outrageous talents to make arguably the North American top flight's most noteworthy debut.

For all the buzz associated with the ponytailed purveyor of obscene goals and his maiden LA Galaxy bow, Zlatan Ibrahimovic lived up to the expectations and more Saturday. Moments after coming on, Ibrahimovic bagged an absurd 40-yard equalizer before scoring a 91st-minute winner in a come-from-behind 4-3 victory over MLS debutant, and new city rival, Los Angeles FC.

It was a performance fitting of the stage and for Major League Soccer, a moment that snatched headlines across the footballing world on a weekend where European leagues returned on the heels of a two-week international lull.

If Ibrahimovic never scores another MLS goal, his move to Los Angeles has already paid for itself.

Forget the relatively measly reported annual wage of $1.5 million, and forget the context of a first LA derby where the record five-time champs trailed by three goals after an hour, Ibrahimovic has thrusted MLS into the spotlight by virtue of a 20-minute spell of unparalleled excellence.

Not bad for a player that hadn't plied his trade for a club since a Boxing Day outing for Manchester United.

A cursory glance of social media confirms as much. Instead of just an insular community of MLS diehards and North American media praising the towering Swede's debut, it was football scribes from across Europe who had tuned into a match well into the latter hours of the European night. The main pages of marquee websites across the continent like BBC Sport and Sky Sports are emblazoned with pictures of a shirtless Ibrahimovic in celebration, giving MLS a broad profile that it has often struggled to secure in the past.

(Photo courtesy: Action Images)

Often maligned for being a retirement tour of sorts for former European elites, MLS has changed its ethos over time. Clubs like FC Dallas, and more recently, Atlanta United, have benefitted from plucking younger talent from Central and South America as the North American top flight gradually forsakes past criticisms. And it's been reflected in the quality of the league.

It's a positive step for a division hampered by league-imposed restrictions and the complicated relationship between salary restrictions and the growth of the game, but for the time being, a melange of emerging talents like Miguel Almiron and established stars like Ibrahimovic appears to be the best approach.

Following the match, Ibrahimovic was asked about his debut. A characteristically brash individual whose performances match his lofty words, Ibrahimovic offered, "I heard the crowd saying 'We want Zlatan, we want Zlatan.'

"So I gave them Zlatan, They were pushing me, and I was giving back."

If Saturday's stunning cameo was all Ibrahimovic ends up giving back, it'll be worth it.