Zlatan Ibrahimovic has ended his career.
Still, he helped out a young teammate – and that may have played a big part in one of the summer’s biggest transfers.
– I made him understand things, says Ibra.
When Zlatan Ibrahimovic ended his career by stepping out onto the San Siro pitch after Milan’s final league game and thanking the supporters, there was one Milan player who was more touched than others. Sandro Tonali, midfield star who has been teammates with Zlatan for three years now, stood with tears in his eyes, noticeably taken.
Revealing the words
Afterwards, videos were also found of Tonali tearfully asking Zlatan for an autograph in the dressing room, and the two seem to have a special relationship. During the years in Milan, Ibrahimovic has been praised enormously for his leadership skills, and how he always helps the younger ones to grow both on and off the football field. And it hasn’t stopped now, just because Ibrahimovic ended his career.
Sandro Tonali is currently close to being ready for big-investing Premier Leauge club Newcastle. The deal is said to be close to SEK 800 million, and it is undoubtedly one of the summer’s biggest and most unexpected deals. And it seems Zlatan Ibrahimovic has had an even more unexpected hand in the game in the deal. According to several international media, Ibrahimovic, in connection with an event in Bergamo, has received questions about the deal.
READ MORE: Zlatan’s big surprise after his retirement from football – then gives the message that everyone wants to hear: “You never know”
“Made him understand”
Ibrahimovic then answered whether he thinks Tonali is ready for Newcastle, who will play in the Champions League next season.
– Is he ready for the Premier League? Yes I think so. But everything depends on him, says Ibrahimovic first.
But then Zlatan reveals his words that may have caused the transfer to come off.
– I made him understand what it takes to win, and he has done it. He grew a lot in Milan, he has a big responsibility and must continue to grow. But I know he will do it in England, and he will do it well.
READ MORE: Henrik Larsson now admits what he really thinks of Zlatan Ibrahimovic: “We are really different”