Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s future at AC Milan – as a player at least – depends on a number of different factors, according to a report.
The Rossoneri have looked like a different side since the Swede officially secured his return on January, losing just once competitively, that being the 4-2 derby defeat to Inter where Milan dominated for 45 minutes.
However, attention is now beginning to turn towards Ibrahimovic’s future at Milan, giving that he only signed a contract until June (albeit with an option for an extra year).
According to Tuttosport – as cited by MilanLive – there will be a few fundamental points that determine the 38-year-old’s future.
First of all there is his physical condition; perfect so far, but it will still be necessary to take into account that he will turn 39 later this year.
From there, the general performance between now and the end of the season will be assessed. Even if Milan should decide to focus on him again, the Malmo youth product could always choose to retire. This could also be influenced by other factors such as Milan’s ambitions for the summer window.
Meanwhile, Stefano Pioli did not miss an opportunity yesterday to emphasize the importance of Ibrahimovic: “Being a young team, having an example of such determination, ambition and perfection, it can only do us good,” he said.
He then explained his direct relationship with Ibra: “There is absolute respect between us. Ibra is a great professional and rightly he often says: “I am a player, you are a coach.”
There is a very good feeling, therefore, between the parties: “There is great esteem, there is mutual trust and this is important. Because if there is no esteem and trust, you coach can tell the players what you want, but they won’t follow you.”
Ibrahimovic could be an ally of Pioli when it comes to making assessments at the end of the season, i.e. he could put in a word with those above to keep the former Fiorentina manager.
