At the age of 41, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has announced his retirement from football. The AC Milan striker made the announcement on the San Siro pitch following his club’s final game of the Serie A season. It was an emotional moment for the Sweden international as he bid farewell to the sport that had given him so much.
“I have many memories and many emotions in here,” Ibrahimovic said to the Milan fans. “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.”
The Milan fans serenaded Ibrahimovic as he left the pitch, and his team-mates gave him a guard of honour. It was a fitting tribute to a player who had made such an impact on the club during his time there.
Ibrahimovic had spent most of the season on the sidelines due to injury, playing just four times for Milan and scoring once in a 3-1 defeat at Udinese in March. His departure from the club had already been announced, but his retirement from football came as a surprise to many.
Ibrahimovic began his career at Malmo and joined Ajax in 2001 after rejecting the overtures of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. He went on to have spells with Juventus and Inter Milan before an unhappy spell at Barcelona, where he complained about how he was used by manager Pep Guardiola.
Ibrahimovic joined AC Milan for the first time, initially on loan, in 2010 before moving to Paris St Germain, where he scored 113 times in 122 league appearances. He also enjoyed spells with Manchester United, with whom he won the Europa League and League Cup, and LA Galaxy before returning to the San Siro.
Throughout his career, Ibrahimovic was known for his skill, strength, and scoring ability. He scored over 500 goals in his career and won numerous titles with the clubs he played for. He was also a regular for the Sweden national team, scoring 62 goals in 116 appearances.
As Ibrahimovic retires from football, he leaves behind a legacy that will be remembered for years to come. His impact on the sport and the clubs he played for will not be forgotten, and he will always be remembered as one of the greatest players of his generation.