Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Javier Pastore has urged Zlatan Ibrahimovic's critics to 'keep having a go at him', as the Argentine believes that it is the perfect motivational tool for the Swede.
The 33-year-old striker scored a hat-trick in PSG's 3-1 win over Lorient on Friday night, answering criticism after recent performances against Chelsea and Bordeaux in the past two weeks.
Ibrahimovic received a red card in PSG's Champions League tie with Chelsea and recently went on a foul-mouthed rant after his side's 3-2 loss to Bordeaux, forcing him to apologise in a statement a few hours afterwards.
However, the Sweden international has bounced back and has now scored six goals in three games, with his teammate believing that the criticism he is getting fuels him.
"It is true that Zlatan has been criticised but I do not mind if you continue to speak ill of him, so that he will keep scoring three goals!" Pastore said, according to Goal.com.
"The international break will do us some good before all the cup matches we have coming up."
PSG go top of Ligue 1 after their 3-1 victory but have a game in hand over their title rivals, who play on Saturday.
Sam McEvoy
