ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC RETIRES FROM FOOTBALL ON AN EMOTIONAL NIGHT AT THE SAN SIRO

   Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is retiring from football at 41-years-old. One of the best strikers the game has ever seen, Zlatan called time on an illustrious 24-year-career on a night rife with emotion at the San Siro Stadium on Sunday. 

   The three-time Serie A winner said goodbye to football in front of more than 80,000 fans following AC Milan’s 3-1 win over Hellas Verona on Sunday as fans, teammates and staff all paid tribute within the San Siro and via social media.

   Ibrahimovic was given a guard of honor by his teammates as he walked out onto the field after the match amid a standing ovation from the fans. The 11-time Ballon D’or nominee clearly struggled to hold back the tears as more and more teary-eyed teammates and fans continued their 2-minute 45-second applause. 

   The club’s hierarchy then handed the 6-foot-5 striker a framed AC Milan jersey at center-field as club Chairman Paolo Scaroni, CEO Giorgio Furlani, Technical Area Director Paolo Maldini, and Sports Director Frederic Massara all took turns hugging the Swede.

   In a speech that he delivered while trying to fight back tears, Zlatan said, “Wow, wow, wow, wow. The first time I came to Milan you gave me happiness. The second time I came, you gave me love. 

   “I wish to thank my family and all those who are close to me, for their patience. I wish to thank my second family, my teammates. I wish to thank the Coach and his staff for the responsibility they trusted me with. I want to thank the directors for the opportunity they have given me. 

   “Lastly, but most important of all, from the bottom of my heart, I wish to thank you, the fans. You welcomed me with open arms, you made me feel at home. I will be a Milanista for the rest of my life. The time has come to say goodbye to football. But not to you. This is too difficult. I have too many emotions that are passing through me. To you, I say see you around, if you’re lucky. Forza Milan and goodbye.”

   The AC Milan Hall of Famer had been at the club over the past four seasons and made 64 appearances in his second stint with the team, scoring 34 goals. Ibrahimovic was out of contract with the club at the end of the season, with his current deal coming to an end on June 30^th. AC Milan announced a few days before the game on Sunday that there would be a special ceremony after but remained tight-lipped on details.

   Ibrahimovic later revealed in a press conference that no one, save for a few people, knew about his retirement news. “Even my family didn’t know,” said Ibrahimovic. “Because I wanted that when I announced it everyone heard it at the same time.”

   The three-time Serie A footballer of the year scored 93 goals in 163 appearances over two spells at Milan after his return in January 2020 and was a crucial piece to helping the Rossoneri reclaim the Scudetto last year, his second at the club. Zlatan also added 35 assists in that time. He, however, struggled with injuries this season and after undergoing knee surgery last year, only made four appearances.

   Renowned for his acrobatic strikes and worldly goals that included volleys, half volleys, scorpion kicks, knuckleballs, powerful long range shots and excellent ball control, Zlatan Ibrahimovic will go down in history as one of the most complete strikers in football history. The Malmo-born man has scored a goal every year since 1999 and holds the record for scoring in every possible minute of a 90-minute match.

   While he will be celebrated at the San Siro by AC Milan for the longest time, the 12-time Guldbollen (Swedish Male Footballer of the Year) award winner enjoyed a trophy-laden career at multiple clubs in Europe. Ibrahimovic starred and had an impact at all of the clubs he was a part of including Malmo FF, Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, and MLS’ LA Galaxy.

   The Swede retired having scored a total of 511 club goals in 866 games. Ibrahimovic has also won a whopping total 32 trophies, including the Eredivisie, Serie A, La Liga, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, Ligue 1, UEFA Europa League, and EFL Cup. Zlatan also made 122 total appearances for Sweden and retires as the country’s all-time leading goalscorer with 62 international goals.

-Maher Abucheri

Twitter: @pabloikonyero

Photo: Doha Stadium Plus Qatar. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.

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