Zlatan Ibrahimovic will return in AC Milan’s match selection against Torino on Friday. Trainer Stefano Pioli does not expect the Swedish veteran to play a role within the lines, but nevertheless thinks that Ibrahimovic can be important with his presence alone.
“He is doing better, but he has only trained one and a half times,” Pioli seemed to rule out an appearance by Ibrahimovic against Torino at his press conference on Thursday afternoon. “But he’ll be there tomorrow, because he wants to. He is a great motivator and a great player,” said the Milan coach, who has no regrets about not signing Ibrahimovic for the Champions League. “There’s no guarantee that he’ll be fit again in a month,” he added.
Ibrahimovic still does not doubt himself, even now that he has been on the sidelines for a long time. “I’m still God, I’m the number 1,” he told Sport Mediaset. “My desire is so great, I still want to achieve so many things now that I’ve lost seven to eight months. They’ve been criticizing me for 25 years, I’m used to it, I’m the number 1. Of course I still feel like God, that hasn’t changed.”
Ibrahimovic’s view on his return
Although Ibrahimovic has missed playing football, he will not rush his return to Milan. “I’m patient because I want to get back to the top. The recovery is going according to plan. In the past period I have done everything I can to help the coach, the staff and the team from the outside. I feel good, very good. I’m back in the team and I feel free, on and off the field. That means I’m fine.”
At the age of 41, Ibrahimovic is still not busy with his farewell. He mentioned, “I still have many pages to write, because quality is not lost. The body changes, the physical preparation is different, but quality does not disappear. That remains. To those who do not believe in God, I will show it on the field. I want to show my talent again every day, but not just individually. I want to help others, that’s how you make a difference.”
Zlatan now wants to help his teammates to rise to great heights again. “It’s not about my ego. I am 41 years old, I play for Milan and I am at the top. I’m here for them, not for myself. If I did it for myself, I’d be on an island with a cigar right now. But I want to be an example and a leader for others,” he concluded.
