Zlatan Ibrahimovic announces Retirement
The Striker AC milan contract expires at the end of June and he decides to retire at the age of 41. He had an Injury-Plagued Season.
The Swedish emotional Zlatan Ibrahimovic was melt down by the Milan fans who held up a large momentum giving Goodbye and was given a guard of honour by his team as he left the ground.
On Speaking on the pitch he said, “I have so many memories and lived so many emotions in here, the first time I arrived here you gave me happiness. The second time love.
“I want to thank my family, everyone close to me, for their patience. I want to thank my second family, the players. I want to thank (AC Milan head coach Stefano) Pioli and his staff for the responsibility you have given me. I want to thank the managers for the opportunity.
“But most important of all: from my heart I want to thank you fans. You welcomed me with open arms, you made me feel at home. I will be a Milan fan for life. The time has come to say goodbye to football, but not to you.
“I have too many emotions that are passing through me. See you around, if you’re lucky. Forza Milan and goodbye”.
Zlatan career over the years
The Striker started his Career at Malmo in 1999 and left for Ajax club in 2001 before making a career that had included the great teams like Manchester United, Inter Milan and Milan. Ibrahimovic arrived in Milan for his second spell with the club in early season of 2020. But having won the Scudetto with them in 2011, helped them win the title again last season.
Ibrahimovic, become Sweden’s all time top scorer with 62 goals in 121 matches, quit the national team after Euro on 2016 but returned in 2021 for their unsuccessful world cup qualifying round.
On the early evening, Rafael leao had celebrated his second and third goal of the game by celebrating his second and Milan’s third goal, and made it the game by celebrating with the veteran striker on the sidelines. It was the match with hellas Verona with 3-1.
Milan’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic hasn’t been involved in many of the club’s Serie A games in 2022/2023, making four appearances overall and accumulating 144 minutes of playing time. He has started in one of these appearances across their 38 fixtures and been predominantly used off the bench on three occasions.
Ibrahimovic last played in the league on March 18 for Milan against Udinese. He netted a goal in that match for his side in their 3-1 loss. He opened his account for the 2022/2023 season with that goal – as well as registering his first assist.
In last season’s Serie A, Ibrahimovic played in 23 games for Milan, scored eight goals and provided three assists.
Ibrahimovic linked up with Milan in January 2020 from LA Galaxy, for whom he made 58 league appearances in total, scoring 53 goals and providing 14 assists. Ac Milan had a good opportunity by delaying Napoli’s victory by tie the match against the club with 1-1.
At the age of 22 years and 344 days, Ibrahimovic made a Serie A debut to remember on September 12, 2004 for Juventus. The Swedish attacker scored a goal in his first game in the competition versus Brescia. He first played in a Serie A game for current club Milan in his side’s game against Cesena on September 11, 2010.
In his Serie A career overall, he has appeared in 248 games in the competition, with 140 goals scored and 32 assists. Ibrahimovic has also been sent off six times during his Serie A stint, with 38 yellow cards collected overall.
Totally he scored 511 goals including PSG, Manchester United, for the Milan teams winning league titles in four countries.
He finally said, “There are too many emotions for me right now. Forza Milan and goodbye,” an emotional Ibrahimovic said, holding back tears.
“The first time I came here you gave me happiness, the second time you gave me love.
“You welcomed me with open arms, you made me feel at home, I will be a Milanista for the rest of my life.”
