Zlatan Ibrahimovic has ended his professional career. That became clear after his farewell message was leaked in a clumsy way. Milan has now informed the Italian media that it will indeed say goodbye to the 41-year-old striker. The 41-year-old attacker of AC Milan announced on Sunday after the home game with Hellas Verona (3-1) that he will stop as a professional football player.
Farewell Ibrahimovic (41) at Milan comes out in a clumsy way
In San Siro, the text ‘Goodbye Zlatan’ was displayed on Saturday. Milan will play against Hellas Verona on Sunday, but Zlatan will not be there due to an injury. It is therefore clear what the club has planned for him behind the scenes.
Milan coach Stefano Pioli could not say much about Zlatan’s future earlier this week. “Ibra and I have spoken these days, but what has been said remains between us. It is up to him and the club to determine the future,” said the Italian cryptically.
Ongoing injury problems
Due to persistent hamstring and calf problems, Ibrahimovic was unable to play against Hellas Verona, which lost 3-1 in San Siro. Afterwards he grabbed the microphone and took the time to thank the audience, the management and his teammates. Struggling against tears, Ibrahimovic looked back on his time at Milan.
“The first time I came here, you gave me happiness. The second time I came, you gave me love,” Ibrahimovic said. “You welcomed me with open arms. I will be a Milanista all my life. It’s time to say goodbye to football, but not to you. That is too difficult, there are too many emotions. Forza Milan and goodbye.”
Retroactively, Ibrahimovic played his last official match on March 18. On a visit to Udinese, the Swede converted a penalty, but he could not prevent Milan from going down. In total, Ibrahimovic only played 144 minutes this season. The name of the former Ajax player was still circulating at Monza, but it will not come that far.
His 23-year career took Ibrahimovic successively past Malmö FF, Ajax, Juventus, Internazionale, Barcelona, Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, La Galaxy and again Milan.
