Football Legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic Retires at 41; AC Milan Striker Bids Farewell to a Glittering Career
AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is considered one of the greatest football players from Sweden. Zlatan Ibrahimovic retires from the sport at the age of 41. Ibrahimovic has had an illustrious career, playing for some of Europe’s most prestigious clubs including Juventus, Barcelona, PSG, and Milan.
After a season plagued by injuries, Ibrahimovic’s contract with Milan is set to expire at the end of June and will not be renewed. This all has led him to make the decision to retire, marking the end of a remarkable journey.
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During his second stint with Milan, which began in early 2020, Ibrahimovic played a crucial role in helping the team win the Scudetto title last season. After Milan’s final game of the season, a 3-1 victory over Hellas Verona, Ibrahimovic expressed his gratitude to the fans at San Siro and bid farewell to the sport, “I am not saying goodbye to you, but only to football,” he said. “First time when I came it was all joy, and the love is all you brought to me the second time. I also appreciate the tolerance of my family and friends, and I thank them,” he further added.
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Ibrahimovic’s career began in 1999 at Malmo FF before he moved to Ajax Amsterdam in 2001. He then embarked on a journey that saw him play for top clubs such as Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, Paris St Germain, Manchester United, and Milan. Throughout his career, Ibrahimovic won numerous domestic league titles and cups, as well as individual accolades. However, he never managed to win the prestigious Champions League trophy.
As the all-time top scorer for the Swedish national team, with 62 goals in 121 matches, Ibrahimovic retired from international football after Euro 2016. He did, however, return in 2021 for their World Cup qualifying campaign, which, regrettably, was unsuccessful.
In a press conference announcing his retirement, Ibrahimovic thanked journalists for their patience and expressed his gratitude to everyone who supported him throughout his long and successful career. When asked about his plans for retirement, he chose not to reveal any details and emphasised the importance of taking time to reflect.
Regarding his potential successor, Ibrahimovic made it clear that he is irreplaceable. He humorously stated, “Impossible, there is only one Zlatan! In my younger days everyone said I am like Marco van Basten, but I am who I am, and he is who he is. Though there may be some similarities, I don’t believe comparisons are appropriate. With my ego, I don’t think we could find another Zlatan.
The press conference concluded on an emotional note, with Ibrahimovic expressing his gratitude for the memorable evening. He spoke fondly of his time at Milan, stating that he will greatly miss the club when he leaves. After that, he added, “Today, they dragged the real Ibrahimovic out” and ended his speech.
