“I looked like a zombie”
Ibrahimovic ends his career in tears
6/5/2023 6:23 am
Zlatan Ibrahimovic says “Ciao” to football. Visibly moved, the Swede says goodbye to Milan’s Meazza Stadium. The Swedish superstar, who again cannot play injured, is celebrated with a huge choreography even before kick-off.
Superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic has ended his career. “The moment has come to say ciao to football,” announced the 41-year-old, visibly touched, over the stadium microphone on Sunday evening in Milan’s Giuseppe Meazza Stadium. The striker was bid farewell to his last club AC Milan in a small ceremony following a 3-1 win over Hellas Verona in the final Serie A matchday. Many teammates on the pitch and countless fans in the stands were crying or had tears in their eyes.
The Swede, who could not play injured, was celebrated by the Milan fans before kick-off: They showed a choreography with the words “Godbye” – a play on words for Goodbye. He was also received with “Ibrahimovic, Ibrahimovic” chants. The cult player, who likes to compare himself to God, was visibly touched, had teary eyes and thanked the fans by forming a heart in their direction with his hands. In his short speech he later said: “I will remain a Milanista for the rest of my life.”
At the press conference later, he found his usual routine and self-confidence back. The “Bild” newspaper quotes from the media round: “Today it rained, I thought: ‘Even God is sad’. The emotions were too strong, today I looked like a zombie. Three months ago I would have been in a panic, to make such an announcement. But today I accept it and I’m ready, a little bit sad of course.”
“Today was my last day as a professional soccer player”
Shortly before, there had been media reports that Ibrahimovic was being courted by the Italian first division club AC Monza. The Scandinavian had recently left open whether and where he would continue his career. Late on Sunday evening, however, he made it clear: “Today was my last day as a professional footballer.”
During his career, Ibrahimovic played for the top European clubs Juventus Turin, FC Barcelona, Paris St. Germain, Manchester United and Milan’s city rivals Inter Milan. Last season, Sweden’s 122-time national player became Italian champion with Milan. Overall, he won Serie A five times and was voted Italy’s footballer of the year three times.
Due to various injuries, Ibrahimovic has only appeared in four league games this season, including three as a substitute, and scored just one goal. After a long absence due to a knee operation last year, the veteran struggled first with a thigh injury and most recently with a calf injury. After returning to Milan in January 2020, he was instrumental in Milan’s upward trend, which was crowned with the league title last season.
Milan also ended this season with a win. Olivier Giroud scored the lead against Hellas with a penalty kick (45+2). After the interim equalizer by Davide Faraoni (72′), Rafael Leao (85’/90’+2′) secured the win with a brace and was applauded by Ibrahimovic. Behind champions SSC Naples, Lazio Rome and Inter Milan, Milan finished fourth in the final table and will therefore play in the Champions League again in autumn.