LeBron responds to Ibrahimovic: No way I'll ever 'just stick to sports'

LeBron James responded to Zlatan Ibrahimovic on Friday after the AC Milan star criticized him and other high-profile athletes for speaking out about social and political issues.

"At the end of the day, I would never shut up about things that's wrong," James told reporters. "I preach about my people, and I preach about equality, social injustice, racism, systematic voter suppression - things that go on in our community."

"There's no way I will ever just stick to sports because I understand this platform and how powerful my voice is," he added.

In an interview with Discovery+ in Sweden, Ibrahimovic argued that James should stick to sports instead of addressing matters off the court.

"(LeBron) is phenomenal at what he's doing, but I don't like when people have some kind of status, they go and do politics at the same time," Ibrahimovic said, according to ESPN. "Do what you're good at. Do the category you do. I play football because I'm the best at playing football.

"I don't do politics. If I would be a political politician, I would do politics. That is the first mistake people do when they become famous and they become in a certain status. Stay out of it. Just do what you do best because it doesn't look good."

James has been a driving force for change. Last summer, he teamed up with several other Black athletes and entertainers to create "More Than a Vote," an organization focused on protecting the voting rights of Black people.

"I speak from a very educated mind. I'm kind of the wrong guy to go at because I did my homework," LeBron said.

The four-time NBA Finals MVP also opened the "I Promise" school in 2018, which has helped at-risk children in his hometown of Akron, Ohio.