Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 41, spoke about his decision to quit during AC Milan’s final match against Hellas Verona.
Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic career as a football player is over. The Swedish striker told about his decision after the final match of AC Milan’s season.
Milan beat Hellas Verona 3–1. The Swedish striker was not in his team’s lineup. In his final, injury-plagued season, he played in just four Serie A matches.
– I also want to thank the journalists for your patience. From tomorrow you will have less to do, less good and bad to write. From tomorrow I am a free man, the Swedish star said at the press conference after the match.
He said that he hid his decision even from his own family.
He characterized his decision to quit in a very Zlatan style.
– Today even God is sad.
In his emotional speech on the field, he thanked his family and supporters for their support.
– I will be from Milan for the rest of my life. It’s time for me to say goodbye to football, but not to you. If you’re lucky, we’ll see you again. Forza Milan and heydå!
From Malmö to the world
Ibrahimovic, who grew up in the suburb of Rosengård in Malmö, made his mark in Malmö FF, from where he went to Ajax for a record sum in 2001. From Holland, the journey took him to Italy, where Ibrahimovic represented Juventus and Inter before his transfer to Barcelona.
From Spain, the journey continued to AC Milan, PSG, Manchester United and finally to the United States Los Angeles Galaxy. Many thought the United States was the end of the Swedish striker’s career, but he returned to Milan for the 2020 season.
Back in the 21-22 season, Ibrahimovic played in 23 league matches and scored eight goals. In the last season, colored by injuries, there were only four appearances.
In the A national team, Ibrahimovic debuted more than 20 years ago, in 2001. He ended his career after the 2016 European Championship, but returned to the strength of the national team after a break of more than four years. Ibrahimovic’s last appearance for the national team was a 0-3 loss to Belgium in March.
The Swedish striker’s successful career is unmatched: he has celebrated league championships 12 times, in five different clubs and in four different countries. Ibrahimovic won the goal exchange twice in Italy and three times in France.
Ibrahimovic has won Sweden’s best player award a record 12 times and is considered Sweden’s best footballer of all time.