‘Go do your voodoo, you little donkey’ – Ibrahimovic – Lukaku spat in heated Milan derby revealed

AC Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic, center left, and Inter Milan's Romelu Lukaku, center right, argue during an Italian Cup round of 8 soccer match between Inter Milan and AC Milan at the San Siro stadium, in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

Romelu Lukaku and Zlatan Ibrahimovic have been engaged in a battle to be the "king" of centre-forwards in Milan ever since the Swede returned to Italy last year.

On Tuesday that fight erupted as the pair locked horns in the Italian Cup quarter-final at the San Siro, which ultimately went Inter's way after Ibrahimovic was sent off and Christian Eriksen grabbed a stoppage-time winner.

The duo had to be restrained as they clashed both throughout the first half and just before half-time when both were booked as they came head-to-head.

The Mail Online report that Ibrahimovic had been goading Lukaku - his former teammate at Manchester United - as they lined up next to each other at set-pieces throughout the first half.

When they clashed just before the break, Ibrahimovic could reportedly be heard telling Lukaku "go do your voodoo, you little donkey."

Soccer Football - Coppa Italia - Quarter-Final - Inter Milan v AC Milan - San Siro, Milan, Italy - January 26, 2021 AC Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic clashes with Inter Milan's Romelu Lukaku [REUTERS/Daniele Mascolo]

That is said to be a reference Everton supremo Farhad Moshiri's claim in January 2018 that Lukaku decided to leave Everton for Chelsea after being advised by a witch doctor. Lukaku had been widely tipped to join the Londoners that summer, only to eventually move to United.

The Belgian was upset by this comment and reportedly bit back with: "*** you and your wife, you little ****" and "you want to speak about my mother!?"

Lukaku was restrained by his teammates as he sought to confront Ibrahimovic as the teams headed down the tunnel at half-time.

The pair - who have also clashed over an insulting bet made by Ibrahimovic when they were at Manchester United - have become embroiled in a rivalry as they battle to be seen as the top centre-forward in Italy, with both Milan clubs fighting it out for the Serie A title this season.

They have both referred to themselves as "the king" on social media, and Ibrahimovic has dubbed himself "a God", as they battle it out at the top of the Italian game, with the grudge coming home to roost on Tuesday.

Sky Italia report Milan chiefs questioned Ibrahimovic about the nature of his comment to Lukaku after the match, with the Swede insisting it was not of a racist nature.

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