Watch: Zlatan Ibrahimovic gets emotional as he announces his retirement from football

Veteran AC Milan forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic announced his immediate retirement from football at the end of an emotional night at the San Siro. Ibrahimovic was out of contract with the Serie A club at the end of the season and Milan had already announced there would be a special ceremony to bid farewell to the 41-year-old Swede after the match against Hellas Verona.

But Ibrahimovic later revealed in a press conference that no one knew the big news that he was about to leave.

“Even my family didn’t know, because I wanted everyone to hear it at the same time when I announced it,” he said. (After FA Cup final defeat, says Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes)

Tears in everyone’s eyes.

Zlatan is immense

pic.twitter.com/ZiCwzdWTZB– Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) June 4, 2023

Ibrahimović was given a guard of honor by his teammates after the match at the San Siro. He struggled to hold back his tears as he took the microphone and said:

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has scored a goal every year since 1999 and every possible minute of a 90-minute match.

988 game
573 goals
32 trophies

Malmö FF (1999–2001)
Ajax (2001–2004)
Juventus (2004–2006)
Inter Milan (2006–2009)
Barcelona (2009–2011)
, pic.twitter.com/SpQs0L50M8– Football Talk (@FootballTalkHQ) June 5, 2023

“It’s time to say goodbye to football, but not you.”

Ibrahimovic scored 93 goals in 163 appearances in two spells at Milan. He returned in January 2020 and helped Milan win the Serie A title last year. His second league trophy with the Rossoneri. But he has struggled with injuries and has played only four games this season after undergoing a knee operation last year.

Ibrahimovic said, “I have a lot of memories and feelings inside this stadium.” “The first time I came you gave me happiness, the second time you gave me love. I want to thank my family, I want to thank my second family: players. I thank the coach and his staff for the responsibility I want to thank.” I want to thank the directors for this opportunity. Lastly, from the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you fans.

He also enjoyed trophy-laden spells at Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan, Barcelona, ​​Juventus and Ajax, starting his career with his hometown club Malmö. He made 122 appearances for Sweden, scoring 62 goals.

Many fans were in tears at the San Siro on Sunday, as were most of his teammates, who wore jerseys emblazoned with his name and squad number.

Ibrahimovic told reporters that he was struggling to find someone who was not crying as he looked around during his speech for someone to help him hold back his own tears.
Ibrahimovic also could not stop himself from joking.

“I woke up this morning and it was raining, and I thought God was crying too,” he said with a smile.

There were emotional scenes even before kickoff as a huge banner with the words “Goodbye” was unfurled at one end of the stadium. Fans chanted his name and Ibrahimovic was in tears as he cupped his hands in the shape of a heart and kissed supporters.

However, he ended his speech smiling and in typical Ibrahimovic style.

He said: “It’s very difficult, there’s a lot of emotion going on in me now. But I will say, I’ll see you around if you’re lucky.”

Ibrahimovic then circled the stadium to sing “Simply the Best”.