ITALY: Renowned Swedish and AC Milan forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic has officially announced his retirement from professional football, concluding a remarkable career that was unfortunately plagued by injuries.
With his contract set to expire at the end of June and no plans for renewal, Ibrahimovic has made the difficult decision to bid farewell to the sport.
During his two stints at Milan, Ibrahimovic made a total of 163 appearances and netted an impressive 93 goals. Last year, he played a pivotal role in securing the Rossoneri’s second league championship and returned to the club in January 2020.
As a gesture of appreciation, Milan supporters displayed a touching “Godbye” banner while passionately chanting his name. The charismatic striker reciprocated the affection by blowing kisses and forming a heart-shaped gesture with his hands.
In a special tribute following the match, the Milan players and staff organized a ceremony and ‘guard of honor’ to honour Ibrahimovic’s illustrious career. Overwhelmed by the applause from the San Siro faithful, he expressed, “I bid farewell to football, but not to you.”
Ibrahimovic embarked on his professional journey in 1999 with Malmo FF and later went on to represent esteemed European clubs such as Ajax Amsterdam, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan, and Milan. However, his recent season was plagued by a knee injury, limiting him to just four appearances for Milan.
Expressing his gratitude, Ibrahimovic acknowledged his family, referring to them as his pillar of support. He also extended his appreciation to his fellow players, whom he considers his second family. Additionally, he thanked the club directors for the opportunities provided, as well as the coach and his staff for their unwavering commitment. Finally, he expressed heartfelt gratitude to the loyal supporters who have stood by him throughout his journey.
With an impressive record of 62 goals in 121 matches, Ibrahimovic holds the record for the most goals scored in the history of Swedish football. Although he temporarily retired from international duty after Euro 2016, he returned to the national team in 2021 to contribute to their World Cup qualification campaign.
Furthermore, he achieved remarkable success with Paris Saint-Germain, scoring 156 goals in 180 appearances, and left an indelible mark with the LA Galaxy, netting 53 goals. As he concluded his statement, Ibrahimovic adorned his signature smile and displayed his trademark flamboyance.
Reflecting on his emotions, Ibrahimovic expressed the challenges he currently faces, stating, “It’s a very overwhelming moment for me, filled with a range of emotions. If luck permits, our paths may cross again in the future.”
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