Zlatan Ibrahimovic announces retirement from football after legendary career

MILAN (AP) — Veteran AC Milan ahead Zlatan Ibrahimović introduced his rapid retirement from soccer on the finish of an emotional night time at San Siro on Sunday.

Ibrahimović was out of contract with the Serie A membership on the finish of the season and Milan had already introduced there can be a particular ceremony after its match in opposition to Hellas Verona to bid farewell to the 41-year-old Swede.

But Ibrahimović later revealed in a news convention that nobody knew the massive news he was about to drop.

“Even my family didn’t know, because I wanted that when I announced it everyone heard it at the same time,” he mentioned.

Ibrahimović was given a guard of honor by his teammates as he walked out after the match at San Siro. He struggled to carry again the tears as he took the microphone and mentioned: “The time has come to say goodbye to soccer but not to you.”

Ibrahimović scored 93 objectives in 163 appearances over two spells at Milan. He returned in January 2020 and helped Milan win the Serie A title final yr — his second league trophy with the Rossoneri.

But he has struggled with accidents and solely made 4 appearances this season, after present process a knee operation final yr.

“I have so many memories and emotions inside this stadium,” Ibrahimović mentioned. “The first time I arrived you gave me happiness, the second time you gave me love.

“I want to thank my family … I want to thank my second family: the players. I want to thank the coach and his staff for the responsibility, I want to thank the directors for the opportunity. Last but not least, from my heart, I want to thank you fans.”

He additionally loved trophy-laden spells at Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan, Barcelona, Juventus and Ajax, having began his profession with hometown membership Malmo.

He made 122 appearances for Sweden, scoring 62 objectives.

Many of the followers at San Siro on Sunday have been in tears, as have been most of his teammates, who have been all carrying jerseys along with his identify and squad quantity on the again.

Ibrahimović informed reporters he struggled to search out somebody who wasn’t crying as he appeared round throughout his speech for somebody to assist in giving him the energy to stem his personal tears.

Ibrahimović additionally couldn’t resist making a joke.

“I woke up this morning and it was raining, and I thought ‘Even God is crying,’” he mentioned with a smile.

There have been emotional scenes even earlier than kickoff as an enormous banner was unfurled at one finish of the stadium with the phrases “Godbye.” The followers chanted his identify and Ibrahimović was moved to tears as he cupped his fingers within the form of a coronary heart and blew kisses to the supporters.

However, he ended his speech with a smile and in typical Ibrahimović style.

He mentioned: “It’s too difficult, there are so many emotions going through me now. But I will say, ‘I’ll see you around, if you’re lucky.’”

Ibrahimović then walked across the stadium to the track “Simply the Best.”