Attacking icon Ibrahimovic says goodbye to football

MILAN: Zlatan Ibrahimovic brought the curtain down on a long, trophy-packed career on Sunday (Jun 4) when he unexpectedly announced his retirement from football.

Veteran striker Ibrahimovic revealed his decision to quit the game during an on-pitch ceremony following AC Milan's 3-1 win over Verona which ended their Serie A campaign.

"It's the moment to say goodbye to football, not just to you," said Ibrahimovic on the San Siro pitch.

"There are too many emotions for me right now. Forza Milan and goodbye."

The 41-year-old had been expected to simply bid farewell to Milan fans after his departure from the seven-time European champions was announced on Saturday.

He returned to Milan in late 2019 for a second spell after a previous two-year period in which he won the Serie A title in 2011.

"The first time I came here you gave me happiness, the second time you gave me love," said Ibrahimovic.

"You welcomed me with open arms, you made me feel at home, I will be a Milanista for the rest of my life."

Ibrahimovic was a key figure in Milan's resurgence to the top of Italian football after his return to the club, helping to bring them back from the doldrums and eventually win the Scudetto last season.

"I used to be scared when journalists asked about my future, but now I can accept it, I'm ready," Ibrahimovic told reporters after his announcement.

"I've been doing this all my life, football made me a man. It allowed me to know people I otherwise would never have known, I've travelled the world thanks to football. It's all thanks to football."

Over the course of his career, Ibrahimovic won league titles in the Netherlands, Italy, Spain and France, although his only major European trophy was the 2017 Europa League with Manchester United.

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