Ibrahimovic claims Calhanoglu ‘took advantage of a tragic situation’ in joining Inter: “He has grown a lot thanks to me”

By Oliver Fisher -

AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has thanked Hakan Calhanoglu for what he gave to AC Milan, but claimed he ‘took advantage of a tragic situation’.

Calhanoglu made the decision not to extend his contract with Milan when it expired last June and instead to start a new adventure with the Rossoneri’s rivals Inter, where he has had a mixed start but has seemingly begun to find some form under Simone Inzaghi.

Tuttosport (via NotizieMilan) recently reported that Calhanoglu got a frosty reception after the derby last month, as Alexis Saelemaekers wanted to say hello to his former team-mate because the two are very close friends off the pitch, but he was the only Milan player who made any attempt to greet the Turk after the full time whistle.

A few days ago the new book by Zlatan Ibrahimovic – ‘Adrenalina’ – was released, in which the Swede talks about himself but also about the farewell of Calhanoglu, who left to cross the navigli and join Inter.

“We have to thank him for what he has given to the team and wish him the best for the future. It sounds bad to say it, but Calha took advantage of a tragic situation,” he said (via MilanNews).

“They had got an offer for him neither from Inter nor from any other club. He is a good boy, he has grown a lot thanks to me. He has gained courage and trust. During the European Championships I sent text messages to him and to Rebic: ‘Difficult without Ibra, huh?’. They answered with smiley faces.

“Before I arrived, Calha did not get the numbers that he got later, I always joked with him: ‘It’s my fault if now you send certain requests to Milan, because I made you become great’.”


READ MORE: Tomori insists Milan are ‘believing’ ahead of facing ‘aggressive’ Liverpool: “We will give everything”

Tags AC Milan Hakan Calhanoglu Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Serie A Standings

Live football scores . Current table, fixtures & results.