Zlatan Ibrahimovic announced his retirement from football on Sunday night, ending what has been a memorable and illustrious career as well as a crucial impact at AC Milan.
The 41-year-old joined us for his first spell in 2010, scoring 56 goals in 85 games across two seasons to help us lift the Serie A title in 2010/11, as he quickly established himself as our talisman and leader.
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While he departed under frustrating and disappointing circumstances given our financial situation at that time, he returned in 2019 and was again fundamental in helping us return to the top of Italian football.
After years of struggles and mediocrity, Ibrahimovic played a pivotal part in the resurgence over those three years which saw us return to the Champions League and culminated in us winning the Scudetto once again.
Although his impact on the pitch gradually waned over that period, he still produced quality and was consistent when involved across the first two years after his return, but his leadership, winning mentality and experience were all fundamental strengths that helped a young squad continue to progress.
Respected by all those around him and an example as well as a standard setter, Ibrahimovic was a key cog in our resurgence and his ability to make such a significant impact even in the latter stages of his career was an incredible achievement.
Injuries severely limited him this past season and ultimately resulted in his decision to hang his boots up, but given the contribution he made across his two spells with the Rossoneri, he has undoubtedly written his name into the club’s history books and as seen with the emotion from all at San Siro on Sunday night, he will leave a mark that goes well beyond the numbers.
Whether it was his footballing genius or remarkable moments that he produced on the pitch or his memorable quips and sense of humour off it, Ibrahimovic was one of the best to ever do it, and Milan fans will always remember him fondly.
That in turn was reflected in his farewell after the game on Sunday, as the emotion and affection was evident throughout with the great Swede himself even reduced to tears.
It was a fitting way to say goodbye to a player that has been so instrumental for us and was crucial in getting us back to the position we’re in today, and whatever he decides to do next, we wish him the very best moving forward and hope that perhaps he’ll have a role with us again in the future. Grazie, Ibra.
This time around, we're all crying 😢
For the one and only @Ibra_official 🔴⚫#SempreMilan pic.twitter.com/NtaWkHbXc3— AC Milan (@acmilan) June 5, 2023