AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has once again expressed fear at the idea of retiring from playing football as uncertainty persists over his future.
There are all kinds of rumours surrounding what beckons for the Swede once the current season ends, such as the possibility of extending his contract by another season to keep playing into his 40s, or the idea of becoming a director or another role associated with the club.
Ibrahimovic spoke in a press conference as part of the Swedish national team’s retreat ahead of their World Cup qualifying play-off semi-final against Czech Republic. If they win then a final against Poland beckons for a place in Qatar, and Zlatan would be back for suspension for that game.
“I feel a bit panic at the prospect of stopping playing. For sure, I will continue as long as possible, as long as I can get results but being good on the pitch, without suffering. I don’t want to have regrets when I quit, so I want to maximise my career,” he said (via MilanNews).
“What will happen next I don’t know, as I write in my book I’m a little scared. A role in football? We’ll see when the day comes. I could start when I stop or take a break, or disappear completely. Of course the adrenaline I feel in me I will never feel again.
“We are programmed to wake up, prepare for training, train, go home and rest. This has been going on for 20-25 years but one day when I wake up there will be nothing left in front of me, it will be a positive impact.”
On if he feels sadness that the end of his career is approaching…
“I think it will be a bigger sadness for you that you won’t see me play anymore. You should have fun now because you’ll never see anything like this again…”
We’ll miss u when u eventually retire, Zlatan!❤️🖤
His answer to the last question put me into so much laughter. What a character. Lol. Great guy