LAFC defender Mohamed El-Munir needs surgery to repair a broken cheekbone sustained in his team’s 3-2 loss to the LA Galaxy on Friday night when he was struck by Zlatan Ibrahimovic‘s elbow as the two players went for a header.
The 27-year-old Libyan left-back visited a specialist on Monday, and the operation to correct a zygomatic fracture likely will take place this week, according to a team official.
The injury occurred in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time as both players leaped to attempt a header. Ibrahimovic was called for a foul after his left elbow collided with El-Munir’s right cheek.
A league spokesperson confirmed that the incident could be reviewed by the MLS Disciplinary Committee, and Ibrahimovic was involved in a shouting match with LAFC assistant Zak Abdel after the match that appeared to be related to the incident.
El-Munir has appeared in 10 games with LAFC since joining the team in a December 2018 trade with Orlando City.
El-Munir’s former Orlando teammate, Amro Tarek of the New York Red Bulls, shared a video clip of the incident and photos of the injured player on social media.
Ibrahimovic, 37, who is tied for second in MLS with 16 goals, finished with a hat trick in the game.