By admin
AC Milan’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic has retired from football at the age of 41, ending one of the most illustrious careers of the modern era.
“I say goodbye to football, but not to you,” the Swede told the San Siro crowd after Sunday’s final game of the season.
Ibrahimovic had already announced that he would leave the Italian club.
He scored 511 goals for clubs including Paris St-Germain, Manchester United, Milan and Inter, winning league titles in four countries.
Ibrahimovic began his second deal with AC Milan at the start of 2020, having won the Scudetto with them in 2011 and helped them win the title again last season.
But he has played just four times and started one game for the Serie A side this season – and scored one goal – following a series of injuries and his contract is set to expire this month.
“There are a lot of emotions for me now. Forza Milan and goodbye,” said an emotional Ibrahimovic, 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”, said Ibra.
Ibrahimovic won 34 trophies – including 14 league titles – in a career that began in the last century and was nominated for the Ballon d’Or 11 times.
One major club trophy he failed to win was the Champions League, with his only European title coming with Manchester United winning the Europa League in 2017.
