LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Football star Zlatan Ibrahimovic has reportedly declared his retirement at the age of 41.
Following Sunday’s Serie A season-ending match for his team, the AC Milan forward made the news on the San Siro field.
The Sweden international stated, “I have a lot of memories and feelings in here“
“The first time I arrived here, you gave me happiness. The second time, love. I will be a Milan fan for life.
“The time has come to say goodbye to football, but not to you.
“See you around if you’re lucky. Forza Milan, and goodbye.”
Ibrahimovic, who was visibly moved, was serenaded by the Milan supporters before receiving a ceremony of honour from his teammates as he departed the field.
Due to an injury, the former Manchester United striker has missed most of the season.
He only made four appearances for AC Milan, scoring one in a 3-1 loss at Udinese in March. The club had previously confirmed his departure.
Despite enduring a protracted recovery from knee surgery, he extended his contract in July of last year for another year.
He had undergone an anticipated treatment on his left knee not long after aiding AC Milan in winning the Serie A championship.
It was done to fix instability and damage brought on by an earlier anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Ibrahimovic didn’t make his first appearance of this season until the end of February, as was to be expected, due to the prolonged layoff.
Ibrahimovic started his professional career at Malmo before turning down Arsene Wenger’s advances to join Ajax in 2001.
When I was 17, Arsene Wenger asked me to take an Arsenal trial. I declined it. Ibrahimovic stated in his trademark flair, “Zlatan doesn’t do auditions.
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Prior to his unpleasant time at FC Barcelona, when he grumbled about how manager Pep Guardiola utilized him, the prolific scorer also had stints with Juventus and Inter Milan.
“When you buy me, you are buying a Ferrari,” Ibrahimovic said.
“If you drive a Ferrari, you put premium fuel in the tank, you drive on to the motorway and you floor the accelerator.
“Guardiola filled up with diesel and went for a spin in the countryside. If that’s what he wanted, he should have bought himself a Fiat from the start.”
In 2010, Ibrahimovic made his debut with AC Milan, originally on loan. He afterwards transferred to Paris St-Germain, where he scored 113 goals in 122 league games.
Before returning to the San Siro, he spent time with LA Galaxy and Manchester United, where he won the Europa League and League Cup.
Ibrahimovic, who has scored 62 goals in 122 games for Sweden, left the team after the 2016 Euros but returned in 2021 for their fruitless World Cup qualifying campaign.