Zlatan Ibrahimovic has announced his retirement from football with immediate effect after AC Milan’s final match of the season.
The Scandinavian striker, regarded as one of the greatest strikers of his time and one of Sweden’s greatest ever players, made just four appearances for Milan during an injury-plagued 2022-23 season.
Ibrahimovic was sidelined for months after knee surgery, but he returned for four Serie A games in February and March, starting and scoring in a 3-1 loss to Udinese on March 18.
That strike made the 41-year-old the oldest player to ever score in Italy’s top flight, but he was forced to leave the pitch soon due to hamstring and calf issues.
Brahimovic’s contract at San Siro expires at the end of the month, and Milan had already stated that the Swede would leave the club for the second time when it expired.
Ibrahimovic initially stated a desire to play beyond the summer, but he announced his retirement in a sad ceremony on the San Siro turf.
🚨 BREAKING: Zlatan Ibrahimović has now decided to retire from professional football with immediate effect.
Incredible player, incredible icon. 🦁👋🏻 pic.twitter.com/UwtqwsyUcZ
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 4, 2023
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Addressing his teammates and the supporters after their 3-1 Serie A final-day win over Hellas Verona, the striker said, “The first time we arrived at Milan, you gave me happiness, the second time you gave me love.”
“From my heart I want to thank you fans. You welcomed me with open arms, you made me feel at home. I will be a Milan fan for the whole It’s time to say goodbye to football, not you.”
Ibrahimovic’s retirement brings to a close a successful and often contentious career in Europe and beyond, during which he won an incredible 32 major awards.
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