(CNN) — The Thai soccer team whose escape from a waterlogged cave transfixed the world appeared on the US talk show “Ellen” on Monday, where they had a surprise meeting with their hero soccer player Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Dressed in the jerseys of their “Wild Boars” soccer team, the 12 young Thai boys and their coach joined host Ellen DeGeneres to discuss their tense rescue in July. International cave diving experts evacuated the team members one-by-one through the submerged cave system, in a carefully coordinated operation that captured the world’s attention. As a present, DeGeneres gifted each of the team a personalized soccer jersey with her logo on the front. Then, after asking who their favorite player was, the host revealed football star Ibrahimovic. Amid excited smiles from the Thai team, Ibrahimovic high-fived all the players before complimenting them on their bravery. “I thought I was brave, but these kids, this team, is more braver than me … This is probably the best team in the world,” he said. Speaking through a Thai translator, the boys and their coach took turns answering questions. They said they didn’t know their rescue was being so closely watched until they arrived in the hospital following their escape. When DeGeneres asked if it was true that three boys had their birthdays while being stuck in the cave, there was a groan of sympathy from the audience. There was no story more captivating this summer than the Thai soccer team trapped in a cave. This Monday, they’re all here. pic.twitter.com/J6oQlFZBGG — Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) October 12, 2018 Then the translator corrected her that it was actually four boys. “Happy birthday!” DeGeneres said, followed by applause. The boys elaborated later that they didn’t celebrate their birthdays while they were in the cave. Courtesy of DeGeneres, the Thai boys were then given passes to see Ibrahimovic play in his next game with the LA Galaxy football club. Asked what they wanted to do in the future, the boys said they wanted to receive a “good education” and get “good jobs.” “(Also to) be a professional soccer player so that they can take care of their families,” the translator said, to applause. The team’s appearance follows an earlier trip to the Youth Olympic Summer Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where they toured soccer club River Plate’s Monumental stadium.<doc-sep>FORMER Manchester United star Zlatan Ibrahimovic left the 12 Thai boys rescued from a cave speechless after surprising them on live TV. The LA Galaxy striker, 37, praised the bravery of the children and hailed them as the “best team in the world” as he gatecrashed The Ellen DeGeneres Show. 7 Zlatan Ibrahimovic left the twelve boys saved during the Thai cave rescue speechless today Credit: Ellen 7 The kids were appearing on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in America Credit: Ellen The group, who play for Wild Boars, were headline news after they became trapped underground in northern Thailand on June 23. Two British divers found the coach and players alive and a daring rescue mission was launched to save them. Finally they emerged with rescuers on July 10 and have today spoken about their traumatic near-death experience with the American TV star Ellen. The boys revealed how prayer and meditation helped them to stay calm while they were trapped during a heart-rendering interview. 7 But there was a major surprise in store for them moments after they named the Swede as their idol Credit: Ellen 7 The children could not believe their eyes when Ibrahimovic appeared Credit: Ellen Thai cave rescue miracle as ALL 12 boys and coach are saved after 17 days trapped in flooded tunnel thanks to hero Brit divers 7 Zlatan said the Wild Boars team were 'probably the best team in the world' after their ordeal Credit: Ellen But the Swedish hitman was on hand to raise a smile and surprise the group just moments after they had named him as their idol when Ellen called for the veteran to “come out” from behind the stage. Ibrahimovic then emerged to leave the kids gobsmacked before they began to clap and smile as he said: “I thought that that was brave, but this team is braver than me. “They showed their collective team work and had patience... believing in other hands also. This is probably the best team in the world.” The boys then spoke of their dreams to get a good education before hoping to become professional footballers. 7 The Thai boys were trapped in the cave near Chiang Rai Credit: AFP 7 The boys were taken to hospital after the rescue mission Credit: AP:Associated Press The boys, all aged between 11 and 16, disappeared along with their 25-year-old coach after football practice on June 23. They had set out to explore the cave complex to celebrate a boy's birthday. Rescuers then faced a race against time to find the boys as heavy rain continued to batter the region. On June 28, British drivers joined the rescue and finally on July 2 the boys were discovered alive. LATEST ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC NEWS ZLAT'S LUCKY Zlatan slapped with fine by Uefa over betting company link but escapes ban ZLAT'S ALL, FOLKS Zlatan Ibrahimovic OUT of Euro 2020 as he needs treatment on knee injury CAV SOME OF THAT Cavani is one of four players Ibrahimovic 'hated', says former team-mate SERIE 8 Man Utd 2017-18 reunion in Serie A with Roma-bound Mourinho joining eight ex-stars RAI OF LIGHT Mino Raiola XI with Pogba, Haaland, Zlatan and Donnarumma in super team 'BOW DOWN' Lukaku in Zlatan dig as he claims the ‘real god’ has crowned him king of Milan It was confirmed on July 10 that all 12 boys and their coach had been rescued after 17 days trapped in the flooded cave. Cheers erupted outside the Thai cave when the rescue mission's chief confirmed that the four remaining boys and their coach would be saved. The boys have since become international heroes and recently visited Downing Street for a reception with Prime Minister Theresa May.<doc-sep>
LA Galaxy star Zlatan Ibrahimovic made a surprise appearance on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" to meet the 12 Thai soccer players and their coach who captured the world's attention after becoming trapped in a flooded cave. All 12 members of the Wild Boars team and their coach were saved from an 18-day ordeal in northern Thailand on July 10 during a three-day rescue from Chiang Rai's Tham Luang cave. The boys were invited to attend the World Cup final on July 15 by FIFA, but were not able to travel to Moscow because of health concerns. There was no story more captivating this summer than the Thai soccer team trapped in a cave. This Monday, they're all here. pic.twitter.com/J6oQlFZBGG — Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) October 12, 2018 However, in their first public TV interview since the ordeal, DeGeneres had a surprise for them when she announced the arrival of the 37-year-old Ibrahimovic. "I thought that that was brave, but this team is braver than me," he said. "They showed their collective teamwork and had patience ... believing in other hands also. This is probably the best team in the world." The boys were also guests at the Galaxy's local rivals, LAFC, for their 4-2 win over Houston Dynamo over the weekend. How cool is this?? The soccer team rescued from a Thailand cave is in Los Angeles at an @LAFC game. Here they are with the epic @LAFC3252 fan section. pic.twitter.com/hK9vyygKHr — Elex Michaelson (@Elex_Michaelson) October 13, 2018 Just don't tell Zlatan.