Zlatan retires from Football, sheds tears in final Serie A game

A man who as much as would be remembered for his goals, would be remembered for his iconic quotes, has quit football, or perhaps in colder terms, football has quit Zlatan.

In a bittersweet moment for football fans worldwide, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the iconic Swedish striker, announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 41. The emotional scene unfolded on the pitch of AC Milan’s San Siro Stadium following their final Serie A game of the season against Hellas Verona.

Ibrahimovic, who had been sidelined for a significant portion of the season due to injury, made the decision to hang up his boots after a remarkable 24-year career. The former Sweden international had undergone knee surgery the previous year, just after aiding Milan in securing their first league title in 11 years.

Overwhelmed with gratitude, Ibrahimovic expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the Milan supporters.

Addressing the fans, he said,

“The first time we arrived in 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 [of my life]. It’s time to say goodbye to football, not you.”

As Zlatan Ibrahimovic delivered his farewell speech, his Milan teammates, led by manager Stefano Pioli, stood on the touchline donning jerseys emblazoned with the number 11, paying tribute to the legendary striker. The atmosphere was electric, with fans in the stands showing their appreciation through a tifo that read ‘Godbye,’ a nod to his ‘God of Milan’ moniker.

Witnessing the raw emotion on the pitch, midfielder Sandro Tonali was visibly moved, reflecting the impact Ibrahimovic had on the team and the sport as a whole. Even the typically composed Ibrahimovic himself could not hold back tears, accepting a signed Milan shirt from the club hierarchy as a token of their appreciation.

Ibrahimovic’s illustrious career began in 1999 with Malmo in his native Sweden before moving to Ajax in the Netherlands. His talents would subsequently grace some of the world’s most prominent clubs, including Juventus, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, and LA Galaxy. A remarkable goalscorer, he found the back of the net 493 times in 819 games, while collecting an astounding 34 major honors.

On the international stage, Ibrahimovic proudly represented Sweden, becoming their all-time leading goalscorer with 62 goals in 122 appearances. His presence was felt at six major international tournaments, and he was honored as the Swedish Player of the Year on a record 12 occasions.

Beyond his athletic achievements, Ibrahimovic was renowned for his larger-than-life personality, often referring to himself as a ‘lion’ both on and off the pitch. He never shied away from expressing his self-confidence, famously daring to ‘Zlatan’ in all aspects of life. His charisma and unique character made him an irreplaceable figure in the world of football.

As Ibrahimovic bids farewell to professional football, the sport will forever cherish the indelible mark he left on it. A true icon, he will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the game’s greatest players in history. Football enthusiasts around the globe join together in expressing their gratitude to Zlatan Ibrahimovic for an unforgettable career.