Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the iconic Swedish soccer legend, has officially announced his retirement from an illustrious career in the sport at the age of 41. The announcement came after his team, AC Milan, secured a 3-1 victory over Hellas Verona in their final match of the season.
Addressing the passionate Rossoneri fans at the San Siro stadium, Ibrahimovic expressed his heartfelt farewell, saying, “It’s time to say goodbye to football, but not to you.” AC Milan had previously revealed plans for a brief ceremony to bid adieu to the enigmatic star, as his contract was set to expire at the end of the month.
During his remarkable 24-year career, Ibrahimovic showcased his exceptional skills at nine different clubs, amassing an impressive total of 561 goals for both club and country, according to the International Federation of Football History and Statistics. Notably, he leaves behind a legacy in Italy’s Serie A as the league’s oldest-ever goal scorer.
As Sweden’s all-time leading goal scorer, Ibrahimovic recorded 62 goals in 121 international matches. Although he retired from international football after Euro 2016, he made a return for Sweden’s World Cup qualifying campaign in 2021, albeit without success.
In a news conference following the announcement, Ibrahimovic mentioned that he intends to take some time to rest and reflect before making any decisions about his future endeavors. He expressed the need to savor the achievements of his career and emphasized the importance of not rushing into hasty choices amidst the current wave of emotions.
With his departure from professional soccer, Ibrahimovic leaves an indelible mark on the sport and will forever be remembered as a Milanista, grateful for the happiness and love he experienced during his time with AC Milan.
Storied career
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the revered Swedish footballer, has brought his remarkable professional career to a close after announcing his retirement at the age of 41. His journey in the world of football began in 1999 with Malmö FF in his homeland before he embarked on an international adventure.
In 2001, Ibrahimovic made a move to the Netherlands, joining Ajax. During his time at the Dutch club, he secured two Eredivisie titles and lifted the KNVB Cup in 2002. Eager to further his career, he embarked on a series of transfers to some of Europe’s most renowned clubs, leaving an indelible mark wherever he went.
He enjoyed success in Italy, winning two Serie A titles with Juventus, although they were later revoked due to the Calciopoli match-fixing scandal. Ibrahimovic then moved to Inter Milan in 2006, where he clinched three league titles. In 2009, he made the switch to Spain and joined Barcelona, helping the club secure the La Liga title during his single season with the Catalan giants.
Ibrahimovic’s time in Spain was relatively brief, as he was subsequently loaned to AC Milan in 2010, and the move was made permanent in 2011. His career then took him to Paris Saint-Germain in 2012, where he etched his name into the history books by scoring 113 goals and clinching 12 trophies, including domestic quadruples on two occasions. Although the coveted UEFA Champions League trophy eluded him, he contributed to Manchester United’s victory in the UEFA Europa League in 2017 during his tenure with the English Premier League club.
In 2018, Ibrahimovic embarked on a new chapter in his career by joining LA Galaxy in Major League Soccer (MLS), leaving an immediate impact with two remarkable goals on his debut. However, his heart led him back to AC Milan for a second spell in early 2020. He played a pivotal role in helping the Italian side secure the Scudetto last season.
Despite enduring injuries that limited his appearances to just four matches in the most recent season, Ibrahimovic etched his name in Serie A history as the league’s oldest goal scorer at the age of 41 years and 166 days. This feat was accomplished during AC Milan’s 3-1 defeat against Udinese in March.
Now, as Ibrahimovic bids farewell to the beautiful game, football enthusiasts around the world reflect on his extraordinary career and the indomitable spirit that made him one of the sport’s most captivating figures.
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