Zlatan Ibrahimovic is currently following events at AC Milan from afar as he continues to enjoy a vacation in Miami, one that was of course scheduled before he rejoined as an advisor.
La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) recall that it was four years ago, against Cagliari, that Ibrahimovic scored the first goal of his second spell as a Milan player. Yesterday he celebrated a win against the same opponent from the USA, like Gerry Cardinale.
Milan are into the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia and that game will take place at San Siro next week. Ibrahimovic could be there to support the team in what would be his second appearance since RedBird Capital appointed him as a consultant for the ownership and senior management.
The Swede was at the 2-2 draw against Salernitana but then flew to Miami to celebrate Christmas. Milan played against Sassuolo and Cagliari and on Sunday they will travel to Empoli to extend their positive streak, but Zlatan is not expected at the Castellani.
Will Pioli and the team see him again at Milanello in the preparation days, as happened before the game at the Arechi? It is possible, but even in this case there are no certainties.
After all, Ibra’s role is tailor-made from this point of view too. Zlatan is not a Milan manager, he is not part of the team, and as an advisor he has great freedom of movement. He advises, provides opinions and helps.
His interlocutors are Cardinale – who also wanted him in the team as an operating partner of RedBird for its investment portfolio in the sports, media and entertainment sectors – and then the CEO of Milan Giorgio Furlani as well as the president Paolo Scaroni.
On the pitch front, obviously, the discussions are first of all with Pioli, who on the eve of Milan-Sassuolo had guaranteed constant contact, despite the 41-year-old former striker being on the other side of the world, on the beaches of Miami.
Ibra’s holidays have caused discussion on social media but not at Milanello, where the Swede’s face-to-face meetings with the players – many of whom shared the dressing room with him until June – could prove invaluable. On his first visit to Milanello in his new role as advisor, Ibra spent more than five hours with the team.
If Ibra will get on a direct flight to Milano the day after tomorrow, Gerry Cardinale remains in the USA for the moment. His 2024 opened with an important RedBird operation.
The XFL founded by Cardinale, Dwayne The Rock Johnson and Dany Garcia merged with Fox’s USFL to create the United Football League (UFL). He should be at San Siro on January 14th when Roma will arrive at San Siro.
One went looking for the beach, the other went looking for money 😂😂 btw, I have to start calling Ibra “Tommy” (from Martin) because no one knows what he does 😅
Has anyone inter’s new home kits for next season 🤮 Even a second star won’t make them look good.
Seen*