Zlatan Ibrahimovic has said that the people who vandalised his statue in Sweden are "kindergarten level" and Malmo fans should "be grateful" for his time at the club.

The statue outside of Malmo's stadium has been vandalised four times since the striker became part-owner of their arch rivals Hammarby.

- Stream new episodes of ESPN FC Monday-Friday on ESPN+
- Stream every episode of 30 for 30: Soccer Stories on ESPN+
- ESPN's Insider Notebook: Arsenal in the UCL? Forget it

"It's a shame," Ibrahimovic told Dplay. "They want attention and want the media to write about it -- it's at kindergarten level and we're bigger than that.

"The statue was what it was, but that doesn't mean that my story will be torn down, it will remain forever.

"I played for Malmo and I did what I did for Malmo, even though I was not welcome and was not wanted. They should be grateful, and those who know it, they know it."

The statue was set on fire in November while marks were found on its feet in December, with the nose sawn off nine days later. It was also toppled and covered with a Swedish flag in January.

Ibrahimovic returned to Serie A club AC Milan on a free transfer at the start of the year after ending a two-year spell in MLS with LA Galaxy.

The Italian league has been suspended since March 9 due to the coronavirus pandemic and Ibrahimovic said he is unsure about his future plans.

"I have a contract with Milan and we will see how it ends there, if it ends," he added.

"I want to play football for as long as I can and be able to contribute something, not just play for what I have done or who I am.

"We'll see what happens -- who knew coronavirus would come and turn the world upside down in two weeks?"