Zlatan Ibrahimovic announces retirement from football aged 41 with the Swedish striker scoring 511 goals in 866 club games as well as 62 in 122 for his country.
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In the meantime, Ibrahimovic told fans at AC Milan’s San Siro he was saying “goodbye to football, but not to you”
The striker’s AC Milan contract expires at the end of June and he had already announced he would not be renewing it following an injury-plagued season.
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Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s football career
The striker started his professional career at Malmo FF in 1999 and left for Ajax Amsterdam in 2001 before embarking on a career that has included leading European teams including Manchester United, Inter Milan and Milan.
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Astonishingly, Ibrahimovic arrived in Milan for his second spell with the club in early 2020; having won the Scudetto with them in 2011, and helping them win the title again last season.
Ibrahimovic, Sweden’s all-time top scorer with 62 goals in 121 matches quit the national team after Euro 2016 but returned in 2021 for their unsuccessful World Cup qualifying campaign.
However, 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.
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The one major club trophy that eluded him was the Champions League, with his only European title coming with Manchester United in the shape of the 2017 Europa League.
The striker also retires as Sweden’s all-time top scorer with 62 international goals in 122 matches.
He quit the national side after Euro 2016 but returned in 2021 for their unsuccessful World Cup qualifying campaign.
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In fact, earlier in the evening Rafael Leao had celebrated his second, and Milan’s third, goal of the game by celebrating with the veteran striker on the sidelines. AC Milan beat Hellas Verona 3-1.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic says Goodbye
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Ibrahimovic said: “I have so many memories and lived so many emotions in here, the first time I arrived here you gave me happiness. The second time love.”I want to thank my family, everyone close to me, for their patience. I want to thank my second family, the players. I want to thank (AC Milan head coach Stefano) Pioli and his staff for the responsibility you have given me. I want to thank the managers for the opportunity.
“But most important of all: from my heart I want to thank you fans. You welcomed me with open arms, you made me feel at home. I will be a Milan fan for life. The time has come to say goodbye to football, but not to you. “I have too many emotions that are passing through me. See you around, if you’re lucky. Forza Milan and goodbye”.
