Zlatan Ibrahimovic retires from football. Image: mohananphoto
Zlatan Ibrahimovic retires at the age of 41
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is Sweden’s all-time top scorer with 62 goals and has represented his country in two World Cups.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic retires from football. Image: mohananphoto
Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has announced retirement from football aged 41.
His 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 that saw him play only four games this season.
“It’s the moment to say goodbye to football, not just to you,” said Zlatan on the San Siro pitch on Sunday.
“There are too many emotions for me right now. Forza Milan and goodbye.”
Zlatan Ibrahimovic calls it a day
Zlatan returned to Milan in 2019 for a second spell after a previous two-year period in which he won the Serie A title in 2011.
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“The first time I came here you gave me happiness, the second time you gave me love,” he said.
“You welcomed me with open arms, you made me feel at home, I will be a Milanista for the rest of my life.”
Zlatan 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.
“I used to be scared when journalists asked by about my future, but now I can accept it, I’m ready,” he told reporters after his announcement.
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“I’ve been doing this all my life, football made me a man. It allowed me to know people I otherwise would never have known, I’ve travelled the world thanks to football. It’s all thanks to football.”
Zlatan is Sweden’s all-time top scorer with 62 goals in 121 matches.
He previously quit the national team after Euro 2016 but returned in 2021.
