No, he will not play in Monza next season, nor anywhere else. With the umpteenth coup de theatre in his endless career, Zlatan Ibrahimovic announced that he is retiring from football at 41.
“It is time to say goodbye to football,” Zlatan said at the end of a touching speech in which he bid farewell to the Milan fans, right after the Rossoneri had wrapped their season with a thumping 3-1 win over Verona.
The big Swede was emotional as he walked to the center of the San Siro turf to address the Rossoneri fans with his farewell speech. “I can’t breath, but it is fine. So many memories, so many emotions in this stadium,” were his opening words. “The first time that I joined Milan, you gave me much happiness. The second time, much love. I want to thank my family and those who are close to me for all their patience, as well as this second family of mine – the players, the coach, and the staff – for the responsibility you put on me.”
“From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you fans. You welcomed me with open arms, you made me feel at home, and I will forever be a Milanista.”
Before the match with Verona at the San Siro, the Milan supporters honored him with a banner reading “Godbye” and hailed him with chants all throughout the game.
Ibrahimovic ended his Milan experience with 163 appearances and 93 goals between his two stints in Rossonero. He first played for Milan between 2010 and 2012, then came back in 2020 and played a key role in bringing the Rossoneri back to winning ways in Serie A.
“I am here to bring this club back where it belongs,” he announced in the day of his comeback. He fulfilled his promise by helping Milan come back to the Champions League after a seven-year hiatus, then contributing to the club winning the Scudetto last season, the first since 2011.
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