Legendary AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic announced his retirement from football at the end of an emotional night at the San Siro on Sunday.
Ibrahimovic’s contract with the Serie A club expires at the end of the season and Milan have already announced that there will be a special ceremony after the match against Hellas Verona to bid farewell to the 41-year-old Swedish footballer.
His teammates formed an honor guard as he walked off the pitch, fighting back tears before taking the microphone and saying: ‘The time has come to say goodbye to football, but not you.’
Ibrahimovic scored 93 goals in 163 appearances in two spells with Milan. He returned in January 2020 and helped Milan win the Serie A title last year – his second league trophy with the Rossoneri.
But he has been plagued by injuries and has played just four games this season after undergoing knee surgery last year.
“I have many memories and feelings inside this stadium,” the player admitted. “The first time I came here they gave me happiness, the second time they gave me love.”
“I want to thank my family – I want to thank my other family: the players. I want to thank the coaches and their staff for the responsibility. I want to thank the managers for the opportunity. Last but not the least At least, I want to thank the fans from the bottom of my heart.”
Starting his career with club Malmö in his hometown, Ibrahimovic also had a trophy-laden career with Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan, Barcelona, ​​Juventus and Ajax.
He played 122 matches for Sweden, scoring 62 goals.
Many of the fans gathered at the San Siro began to cry, as did his teammates.
It was an emotional scene even before kick-off following the unveiling of a banner with the words “Goodbye” on the side of the stadium. Fans chanted his name, bringing tears to Ibrahimovic’s eyes, who folded his hands into a heart and kissed his supporters.
He ended his message with, as is customary for Ibrahimovic.
He said: “It’s very difficult, I have a lot of emotions right now. But I will say this, ‘I’ll see you around if you’re lucky.’
