Zlatan Ibrahimovic is back at AC Milan and he is ready to embrace this great challenge to help the Rossoneri change the course of the season. In addition to many difficulties, the Swede will also have to try and break the ‘ex’s taboo’ at the club, as many have failed before upon their return to the San Siro.
Ibrahimovic against everyone and everything. Time passing, the almost impossible challenge of the fallen Milan and thes truggle with its own ghost of the past. But not only. As pointed out by Tuttosport (via milanlive.it), the attacker has another enemy: the ex’s taboo.
In recent years, in fact, only one player seems to have performer well upon his return to Milan: Ricardo Kaka. He is the only exception, as pointed out by the Turin-based newspaper, despite obviously not having the spark as in the 2006/07 season. Kaka scored 7 goals in 30 appearances after his return from Real Madrid.
Mario Balotelli was on the same team with the Brazilian but he himself failed after his return to the club. Throughout the season he struggled with injuries and was not capable of redeeming himself, leading to Milan not redeeming him eventually.
Another example of an unsuccessful return was that of Shevchenko, who failed to score a single league goal on his return in 2008. Similar disappointment came from Kevin Prince Boateng’s return in 2016 and the player was unable to relaunch his career at that time.
David Beckham did not do well either. However, it must be said that the Englishman was very unfortunate. During his loan from Los Angeles Galaxy, the player tore his Achilles tendon which forced him to undergo surgery in Finland.
So, now it’s up to Ibrahimovic to break this curse. And he will have to do it from an even more disadvantageous position in terms of age. The others mentioned had in fact a maximum of 34, while Zlatan is 38 and will be turning 39 in October.
