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New Delhi: Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic announced his retirement from football after AC Milan beat Verona in their last Serie A game on Sunday, June 4, at the age of 41 . Considered one of the best strikers of his generation, Ibrahimovic brought an impressive and eventful end to his season career at San Siro.
Ibrahimovic has been on the sidelines since suffering a hamstring injury in March this year and watched the Rossoneri beat Verona 3-1 at home from the stands with his family. Recurring injuries limited Ibrahimovic to just four appearances in Italy’s top flight this season, where he scored the only goal in a 1–3 defeat against Udinese.
His goal made him the oldest goalscorer in Serie A history but also proved to be his last professional goal. Earlier this season, Ibrahimovic expressed his desire to continue playing after the 2022/23 season. But his injury-plagued season ended his second stint at AC Milan, as well as his professional football career. The Swedish legend thanked AC Milan fans after the Verona game and also declared that he will be a Milan fan for life.
Zlatan said, “The first time we arrived in Milan you gave me happiness, the second time you gave me love.” “From the bottom of my heart I want to thank you fans. You welcomed me with open arms, you made me feel at home. I will be a full Milan fan. It’s time to say goodbye to football, not you.”
Legendary Ibrahimovic played for AC Milan biggest rivals Inter Milan and Juventus, and European giants Barcelona, Manchester United and Ajax. Legendary Ibrahimovic started his football journey with his hometown club Malmö in 1999 and has played for eight different clubs in seven different leagues. His best football came with French giants Paris Saint-Germain during 2012–16 where he scored 156 goals in 180 appearances.
