Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s emotional farewell on Sunday night sparked a dramatic 24 hours at AC Milan, but a return for the Swede in the future cannot be ruled out.
As Corriere dello Sport (via PianetaMilan) report, Ibrahimovic left Milan and retired from football with a ceremony after the game on Sunday that reduced fans, players and even the big man himself to tears.
When everyone thought he was ending his time with Milan to go and play in Monza, Ibrahimovic announced that he is quitting the game as a player altogether.
“I didn’t tell anyone I was leaving football. I told the club that we had to do something for the last game, but they didn’t know about the retirement. Not even my family knew about it,” he said.
Ibrahimovic has done everything in secret to stay true to his style, and he left everyone speechless.
“Three months ago I was in panic about retiring, but today I accept it and I’m ready. I said enough in the last ten days: I accepted it, even not being able to finish on the pitch,” he added.
“The time has come to say enough and to enjoy private life and football in another way. There were offers, but it wasn’t interesting.
“If one has agreed not to continue, the offers are no longer of interest. Now I am a free man from this world. It has been a very long career. I am proud and happy. The career lasted a long time. Everyone says I’m Superman. I’m Superman, but Ibra has a big heart.”
Ibrahimovic said goodbye to his playing career but not to Milan. His idea is to take some time to decide, perhaps this summer, and then return to the club in another position such as a managerial role.
“For the moment I just want to take time and enjoy what I’ve done. I think it’s not right to make a decision in a hurry, there’s too much emotion. I want to take the summer, enjoy it, reflect on what I’ve done,” he said.
“Then, slowly, let’s see. Being a coach or manager is a big responsibility. When you are a footballer you have more chances to be yourself, as a coach you are more limited. I can’t come to Ferrari as a coach, or maybe Ibra can…
“I don’t think I’ll leave football in general, but if I enter it I have to join the ladder from the bottom rung and grow. It doesn’t mean I’ll be a top coach.”
as long as the damn Cardinal is in Milan. The Legends will not be received with respect. Milan wasn’t built to be a Giant Champion but only to be used for Red Bird Bastard’s money. I hope Red Bird goes bankrupt and sells Milan soon.