Zlatan Ibrahimovic retires from soccer aged 41 after AC Milan exit
The legendary Swedish striker, one of many sport’s most enduring and charismatic figures, is hanging up his boots on the age of 41, having bid an emotional farewell to AC Milan on Sunday.
Ibrahimovic endured an injury-ravaged remaining marketing campaign of his glittering, trophy-laden profession, restricted to only 4 appearances throughout all competitions for the Rossoneri, who opted to not prolong his contract.
Milan followers and team-mates bid goodbye to one among their hottest gamers in a ceremony on the San Siro on Sunday, after their remaining Serie A match of the marketing campaign in opposition to Hellas Verona, which they gained 3-1.
An spectacular giant tifo show that learn merely ‘Godbye’ was unfurled by supporters within the stands, whereas Ibrahimovic fought again the tears as he acquired a standing ovation and was offered with a particular signed shirt.
“The time has arrived to say goodbye,” he informed followers on the San Siro.
Godbye: AC Milan followers pay tribute to Ibrahimovic throughout their remaining Serie A sport of the yr
/ Getty ImagesIbrahimovic initially returned to Milan aged 38 in 2019 after a stint in Major League Soccer (MLS) with the LA Galaxy, serving to the membership to win their first Serie A title for 11 years final time period.
However, he underwent main knee surgical procedure final summer season that stored him out till February, later struggling a calf downside that finally ended his marketing campaign after simply 4 outings and one solitary aim, scored within the 3-1 loss at Udinese in March – his remaining membership sport.
He netted a complete of 93 instances in 163 appearances throughout three spells at Milan, profitable two Serie A titles 11 years aside.
Ibrahimovic started his profession in his native Sweden with Malmo, later profitable a glut of silverware with Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain earlier than heading to the Premier League for the primary and solely time with Manchester United in 2016.
Zlatan was offered with a particular signed shirt as he was mobbed by his Milan team-mates
/ APHe remained at Old Trafford for 2 seasons, profitable the Europa League, League Cup and Community Shield below Jose Mourinho, earlier than agreeing an early mutual termination of his contract in March 2018 after 29 targets in 53 video games having been decreased to a bit-part function following a severe knee harm that ended his first yr at United early.
Ibrahimovic scored a complete of 493 targets in 819 membership appearances in a profession spanning 24 years, plus one other 62 in 122 senior caps for Sweden, having give up worldwide soccer in 2016 however later returned in a failed bid to steer his nation to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. His remaining match proved to be the 3-0 Euro 2024 qualifying loss to Belgium in Stockholm in March, through which he appeared as a late substitute.
Ibrahimovic additionally gained plenty of particular person honours within the sport, together with the FIFA Puskás Award in 2013. He was nominated for the distinguished Ballon d’Or honour no fewer than 11 instances, ending fourth within the voting in 2013.