Zlatan Ibrahimovic retires from football aged 41

AC Milan and Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 41.

Considered one of the greatest strikers of his generation and a national icon in Sweden, Ibrahimovic had a challenging 2022-23 season with Milan, appearing in only four matches due to injuries. 

After undergoing knee surgery, he made a brief comeback in February and March, scoring in a 3-1 defeat against Udinese and becoming the oldest player to ever score in Italy's top division.

With his contract at San Siro set to expire, Milan had already confirmed that Ibrahimovic would be leaving the club for the second time. 

Initially expressing a desire to continue playing, the emotional striker announced his retirement in a tearful ceremony on the San Siro pitch following Milan's 3-1 victory over Hellas Verona on the final day of Serie A.

Speaking over the loudspeaker system inside San Siro, Ibrahimovic said: “The first time I arrived you gave me happiness, the second time, you gave me love. I want to thank my family and those close to me for their patience. I want to thank my second family. The players, the coach and his staff for the responsibility they gave me. I want to thank the directors for the opportunity they gave me.
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“Last but not least, from my heart, I want to thank you, fans. You welcomed me with open arms and I will be a Milanista my entire life. It’s time to say goodbye to football, but not to you. It’s too difficult, there are too many emotions. I’ll see you around if you are lucky. Forza Milan and goodbye.”

Throughout his career, he won an impressive total of 32 major trophies. Starting with Malmo, he achieved success with Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, LA Galaxy, and finally Milan again, where he won another Serie A title in the 2021-22 season. 

On the international stage, Ibrahimovic holds the record as Sweden's all-time leading men's goalscorer, scoring 62 goals in 122 appearances, which invludes his remarkable bicycle kick goal against England in 2012 earned him the prestigious FIFA Puskas Award. 

Forever one of us ❤️🖤@Ibra_official #SempreMilan pic.twitter.com/P990NX6pMk

— AC Milan (@acmilan) June 4, 2023