Zlatan Ibrahimović announces he is retiring from football

Zlatan Ibrahimović Retires from Football: A Look Back at His Iconic Career

On June 5th, 2023, Zlatan Ibrahimović announced his retirement from football after his team, AC Milan, won 3-1 against Verona.

The Swedish striker had been expected to bid farewell to the club after the game, but instead, he announced his retirement from the sport with immediate effect.

Ibrahimović’s career spanned over two decades, during which he played for some of the biggest clubs in the world, including Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, Manchester United, LA Galaxy, and AC Milan.

He was known for his exceptional technical ability, despite his towering physique, as well as his fiery personality and his willingness to speak his mind.

Born in Malmö, Sweden, in 1981, Ibrahimović started his career at Malmö FF before moving to Ajax in 2001. He won two Eredivisie titles with the Dutch club before moving to Juventus in 2004.

However, after Juventus was relegated to Serie B due to the Calciopoli scandal, Ibrahimović moved to Inter Milan, where he won three Serie A titles in a row.

In 2009, Ibrahimović signed for Barcelona, where he played alongside Lionel Messi and won the La Liga title in his first season. However, he clashed with manager Pep Guardiola and moved to AC Milan on loan in 2010 before making the move permanent the following year. He won another Serie A title with Milan in 2011 and helped the club win the Scudetto again in 2022.

In between his stints at Milan, Ibrahimović played for Paris Saint-Germain, where he won four Ligue 1 titles, and Manchester United, where he won the Europa League and the League Cup. He then moved to LA Galaxy in 2018 and played in the MLS for two seasons before returning to Milan in 2020.

Throughout his career, Ibrahimović scored over 500 goals and won 31 major trophies, including 11 league titles, 4 domestic cups, and the UEFA Europa League. He was also the all-time top scorer for the Swedish national team, scoring 62 goals in 116 appearances.

Aside from his achievements on the pitch, Ibrahimović was known for his outspoken personality and his willingness to speak his mind.

He famously referred to himself as a “lion” and once said, “I can’t help but laugh at how perfect I am.” He was also known for his charitable work and his efforts to help disadvantaged children through his Zlatan Ibrahimović Foundation.

As Ibrahimović bids farewell to football, he leaves behind a legacy as one of the greatest players of his generation. His technical ability, physical prowess, and fiery personality made him a unique talent on the pitch, and his contributions to the sport will not be forgotten. For fans of the beautiful game, he will always be remembered as a true icon.