AC Milan legend, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has announced his retirement at the age of 41.

Ibrahimovic has spent the majority of the season injured, but made a trip to the San Siro to watch AC Milan's final Serie A game on Sunday, May 4.

However, after the game, the big Swede made his way onto the pitch to address the crowd.

The 41-year-old'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.

Speaking on the pitch at full-time, 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".

Ibrahimovic arrived in Milan for his second spell with the club in early 2020, having won the Scudetto with them in 2011, and helped them win the title again last season.

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.

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.

He helped the Dutch giants to win the Eredivisie in his first campaign in Amsterdam before leaving for Juventus after four years. After Juve were relegated following a match-fixing scandal, the Swede joined Inter Milan, where he won three successive Serie A titles.

He then had a short-lived spell at Barcelona before returning to Italy on loan at AC Milan. That move was made permanent in 2011 and he duly fired in 35 goals in 44 appearances in the following campaign.

https://www.lindaikejisblog.com/2023/6/zlatan-ibrahimovic-retires-from-football-aged-41.html

Wow

Yet, he never won a Champions league..

Weldone the self proclaimed football gods

Nairalander248:
Yet, he never won a Champions league..

Weldone the self proclaimed football gods

That's the main reason he never wanted to retire cause him never achieved anything

Underrated player, probably the best top9 of the last two decades.

ojaysam25:
Underrated player, probably the best top9 of the last two decades.

Stop overrating Ibrahimovic and massaging his self blown ego, though we understand he scored fantastic goals. There were many better 9s than him. Samuel Eto’o was a better 9.
I stand being corrected

Zlantan retires football and FIFA combined

Amotolongbo:
Stop overrating Ibrahimovic and massaging his self blown ego, though we understand he scored fantastic goals. There were many better 9s than him. Samuel Eto’o was a better 9.
I stand being corrected

Oga on zlantan prime only Delima Rinaldo was a better 9 is foot works and chesting of the Ball is Deadly and non to norm he was my idol when grewing up he made me juve fan and then inter fan

Amotolongbo:
Stop overrating Ibrahimovic and massaging his self blown ego, though we understand he scored fantastic goals. There were many better 9s than him. Samuel Eto’o was a better 9.
I stand being corrected

Your opinion though. In the Ronaldo and Messi era, only zlatan comes closer to those two icons. His finishing is out of this world. He is only hated base on his ego and arrogance but on the pitch the guy is very good.

ojaysam25:

Your opinion though. In the Ronaldo and Messi era, only zlatan comes closer to those two icons. His finishing is out of this world. He is only hated base on his ego and arrogance but on the pitch the guy is very good.

Point of correction, Zlatan is more of Ronaldinho, Kaka, Eto’o era than Messi &Ronaldo.

He only has his peak years when Ronaldo and Messi were reigning

Amotolongbo:
Point of correction, Zlatan is more of Ronaldinho, Kaka, Eto’o era than Messi &Ronaldo.

He only has his peak years when Ronaldo and Messi were reigning

Your ban long oh. One month.

Behave yourself next time so you won't go back.