In a heartfelt declaration on Sunday, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the renowned AC Milan striker, confirmed his decision to retire from professional football at the age of 41. Ibrahimovic’s contract with AC Milan is set to expire at the end of June, and after a season riddled with injuries, he had already indicated that he would not be seeking a renewal.
During his final match, the Swedish football legend was greeted with an outpouring of emotion from Milan fans. They displayed a grand Tifo that spelled out “Godbye” as a tribute, and his teammates formed a guard of honor as he bid farewell to the pitch.
Addressing the crowd after the match, Ibrahimovic expressed his gratitude and deep attachment to the club, saying, “I have cherished countless memories and experienced a multitude of emotions here. When I first arrived, you brought me happiness, and the second time, love.”
He went on to thank his family, close associates, and teammates for their unwavering support and patience throughout his career. Ibrahimovic also acknowledged the coaching staff, including head coach Stefano Pioli, and the management for the opportunities they provided him.
Above all, he expressed his profound appreciation for the Milan fans, describing them as a second family who embraced him wholeheartedly and made him feel at home. Ibrahimovic assured them that his connection to the club and its supporters would endure, stating, “I will be a Milan fan for life. The time has come to say goodbye to football, but not to you.”
Concluding his remarks, the visibly emotional striker bid farewell, promising to cherish the memories and expressing the hope of crossing paths with the fans again. He closed by proclaiming his allegiance to AC Milan and encouraging them with the rallying cry, “Forza Milan and goodbye.”
Ibrahimovic began his professional journey at Malmo FF in 1999 before moving to Ajax Amsterdam in 2001. His illustrious career subsequently led him to prominent European clubs such as Manchester United, Inter Milan, and AC Milan.
In early 2020, Ibrahimovic returned to AC Milan for his second spell with the club, having previously won the Scudetto with them in 2011. He played a pivotal role in helping Milan secure the title once again in the previous season.
Having scored an impressive 62 goals in 121 appearances, Ibrahimovic holds the record for the highest number of goals scored for the Swedish national team. Although he initially retired from international football after Euro 2016, he made a comeback in 2021 for Sweden’s World Cup qualifying campaign, albeit without success.
During his final match against Hellas Verona, Ibrahimovic shared a touching moment with Rafael Leao, who celebrated his second goal of the game by paying tribute to the veteran striker on the sidelines. AC Milan emerged victorious with a 3-1 scoreline.
With the retirement of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the footballing world bids farewell to a true legend whose impact on the sport will be remembered for years to come.
