There was a surprise guest at Milanello yesterday as Zlatan Ibrahimovic arrived for the training session that AC Milan had on the eve of the game against Newcastle United.
La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) report that Ibrahimovic stopped to speak at length with Pioli, then with the CEO Giorgio Furlani and with Geoffrey Moncada, the chief scout in charge of the transfer market.
There were smiles and handshakes, as well as a few words at the entrance, published by Milan in a video on TikTok: “Come on, come on, come on! Positive, energy oh!”
The cameras of the journalists admitted to the first quarter of an hour of the training session filmed Zlatan with some surprise, then Pioli explained that he was supposed to pay a visit to the team before the derby but – because he was busy at a charity match in Slovenia – he postponed it.
The timing, of course, is something worth mentioning. Ibra arrived at Milanello in the first, great difficult moment of the season and many imagined him speaking to the team, as a great soul of the dressing room.
Pioli said that he did not address the squad as a hole, but rather had a chat with certain players: “He spoke individually, not to the team. He asked me for information on the new signings and we talked about our things.”
Zlatan took a break in the summer and dedicated himself to holidays, to his loved ones, to activities away from the field. After years of training and matches, he legitimately needed it.
Those who know him well, however, say that he now feels ready to commit himself again, because Ibra is not a man for the sofa and PlayStation, and he is not keen on secondary roles.
Returning to Milanello gave him great pleasure and he misses everyday life at the training ground a little. His bond with Milan remains strong and Ibra, between the time to dedicate to his family and his activities, would gladly return to lend a hand to his club.
In the past there was a lot of talk about the role of team manager, which Milan however entrusted to Alberto Marangon. At the moment it remains a relationship of affection. In the future, who knows if we will see a development.
Ibrahimovic could be agent, or an entrepreneur given his latest venture is a padel centre opened a stone’s throw from Milan. He could spend a few months as an actor, reinvent himself or present himself as a manager or coach.
For an American company they’re surprisingly bad at optics
Fascinating how Zlatan comes back from nowhere just after a historic loss against Inter. He even arrived just when media were gathered at the entrance. Some diversionary magic trick again. It seems to work well with many fans though.
It’s kinda like over in the US when Biden is doing bad in the press, we get the alien stories or some celebrity did some sh!t lol 😂😂😂
Chuck Norris takes lessons from Zlatan. Twice a week.
not surprising at all. The way Milan collapsed after Inter’s 3rd goal tells us there isn’t a strong and vocal personality in the locker room to guide these youngsters. Maignan can’t do it after letting in 5 goals. Calabria is….. well… no Captain. Neither is Theo. And Kjaer doesn’t have the same effect playing in emergencies.
Need to address the Zlatan in the room.