When Ibrahimovic declared his retirement on the field, many of his teammates as well as the audience were in tears.
AC Milan’s revered striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, has made the decision to retire from professional football at the age of 41.
Ibrahimovic’s announcement marks the end of an illustrious career that has left an indelible mark on the sport.
Throughout his journey, he has been celebrated for his exceptional skills, fierce determination, and charismatic personality, earning him a place among football’s most iconic figures.
As the football world bids farewell to this legendary player, Ibrahimovic’s legacy will undoubtedly endure, inspiring generations to come.
“After Sunday’s season-ending match, the Swede thanked the San Siro crowd for their support and said, “I say goodbye to football but not to you.
Ibrahimovic already disclosed that he will leave the Italian team when his current contract expired this month.
He has scored 511 goals for illustrious clubs like Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, AC Milan, and Inter Milan, winning league championships in four different nations.
Ibrahimovic, who previously won the Scudetto with AC Milan in 2011, returned to the club in early 2020 and was a key player in their most recent title victory.
He only played in four games, making one start and scoring one goal due to a string of ailments.
In addition to his remarkable club career, Ibrahimovic leaves a lasting legacy as Sweden’s all-time leading scorer, having netted an impressive 62 goals in 121 matches.
After initially retiring from the national team following Euro 2016, he made a triumphant return in 2021 to participate in their World Cup qualifying campaign, albeit without securing a spot in the tournament.
Ibrahimovic’s professional journey began with his hometown club, Malmo FF, in 1999, before embarking on a move to Ajax in 2001.
During his three-year tenure with Ajax, he achieved great success, clinching three league titles.
Subsequently, in 2004, Ibrahimovic ventured to Italy, joining Juventus. Although he secured two league titles during his time there, both were later revoked due to the Calciopoli scandal that engulfed the club.
Nonetheless, the Swedish striker continued to thrive in Serie A, enjoying three more triumphant seasons at his next club, Inter Milan, where he captured three additional league titles.
In 2009, Ibrahimovic sought new horizons and transferred to Barcelona, where he secured a La Liga title in his debut season.
After a solitary year at Barcelona, Ibrahimovic embarked on a loan move to AC Milan, which eventually became permanent in 2011.
In 2012, Ibrahimovic embarked on yet another chapter in his illustrious career by joining Paris St-Germain. During his time at the French club, he left an indelible mark by scoring an impressive 113 goals in 122 league appearances.
Additionally, he claimed four Ligue 1 titles, further cementing his status as one of the game’s elite.
Following his successful stint in Paris, Ibrahimovic made a notable move to Manchester United in July 2016.
His two-year tenure at the Premier League club proved fruitful as he triumphed in the League Cup and secured his first European title, the 2016/2017 Europa League.
In 2018, the Swedish striker set his sights on Major League Soccer (MLS) and joined LA Galaxy, where he showcased his skills for two seasons.
However, his desire to challenge himself further led to a return to AC Milan, reuniting with the club in a bid to contribute to their continued success.