At the age of 41, Zlatan Ibrahimovic declared his retirement from football.
Ibrahimovic announces retirement from football: After his team’s final Serie A match of the season, the AC Milan striker announced on the San Siro pitch that he had decided to retire.
The Swede added, “I have many memories and emotions here.”
“You made me happy when I came here for the first time. I love the second time. I’ll always support AC Milan.
“It’s time to part ways with football, but not with you. If you’re lucky, I’ll see you around. Thank you, Milan, and goodbye.
Ibrahimovic appeared upset as he was serenaded by the Milan supporters and given a guard of honor by his colleagues as he departed the pitch.
The former Manchester United striker played just four times for Milan, scoring once in a 3-1 loss at Udinese in March, and his exit from the team had already been confirmed. The striker has missed most of the season owing to an injury.
He extended his contract for a further year in July of last year despite the likelihood of a drawn-out recovery from knee surgery.
He had undergone a planned treatment on his left knee to correct damage and instability brought on by a prior anterior cruciate ligament injury shortly after aiding Milan win the Serie A championship.
As a result, Ibrahimovic had a protracted layoff, and his first season-opening appearance didn’t happen until the end of February.
A stylish striker
Ibrahimovic is well-known for his long-range overhead kick against England in 2012, his fourth goal in a game where Sweden won 4-2.
After turning down the advances of Arsene Wenger, the manager of Arsenal, he started his career with Malmo and afterward joined Ajax.
When I was 17, Arsene Wenger asked me to take an Arsenal trial. I declined it. Zlatan doesn’t go to auditions,” he said in his distinctive manner.
Before his unfortunate stint at Barcelona, where he griped about Pep Guardiola’s use of him, the striker had stints with Juventus and Inter Milan.
Ibrahimovic declared, “When you buy me, you are buying a Ferrari.”
“If you drive a Ferrari, you fill the tank with premium fuel, get on the motorway and floor the accelerator.
“After refueling with diesel, Guardiola took a drive around the countryside. He ought to have started by getting himself a Fiat if that is what he desired.
the top scorer ever for Sweden
In 2010, Ibrahimovic debuted with AC Milan, originally on loan. He afterward transferred to Paris St. Germain, where he scored 113 goals in 122 league games.
He also won the Europa League and the League Cup with Manchester United. Before returning to the San Siro, he had a successful stint at LA Galaxy.
With 62 goals in 122 games, Ibrahimovic holds the record for most goals in Sweden.
After Euro 2016, he left the national team but joined them again in 2021 for their disastrous World Cup qualification run.