At 41 years old
Farewell in tears: Zlatan Ibrahimovic ends his career
Again the old man: Zlatan Ibrahimovic with a proudly swollen chest when he said goodbye in the San Siro.
© Antonio Calanni/AP/DPA
Sometimes a football genius, sometimes an egocentric: Few footballers have polarized people as much as Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Now the 41-year-old has announced the end of his career. The moment has come to say “ciao” to football.
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.
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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 reacted visibly moved and thanked the fans by making a heart with his hands in their direction. In his short speech he later said: “I will remain a Milanista for the rest of my life.”
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.”
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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.
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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.