Zlatan Ibrahimovic retires at 41: 'Came like a king and left like a legend'
After a storied career spanning multiple decades and continents, Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is finally hanging up his cleats.
The 41-year-old AC Milan player said goodbye to soccer on Sunday after his club's 3-1 victory over Hellas Verona.
"I say goodbye to football, but not to you," Ibrahimovic told the fans. "I have so many memories and emotions inside this stadium."
Ibrahimovic began his career in Sweden at Malmö FF in 1999. He moved to Ajax at the age of 20 and was mentored by Dutch coach Ronald Koeman. Under Koeman's tutelage, Ibrahimovic became one of the most exciting prospects in Europe. He spent the 2000s bouncing between Italy, France and England, while also making time for a short stint with Pep Guardiola at Barcelona (a relationship that quickly, and memorably, turned sour) and a David Beckham-style U.S. tour with the L.A. Galaxy.
It was Milan that stole Ibrahimovic's heart. He joined the Rossoneri on loan in 2011 and quickly signed on for a full contract in 2012. When he became a free agent in 2020 after his Galaxy stint, Ibrahimovic accepted a significant wage cut to return to Milan for the final act of his career. His goal was to help the team win the Italian championship, and in 2022, Ibrahimovic and AC Milan did exactly that.
Ibrahimovic brought personality, creativity and plenty of well-earned confidence to each team he joined. When he signed with the Galaxy, Ibrahimovic took out a full-page ad in the Los Angeles Times that simply read, "Dear Los Angeles, you're welcome." He was infamous for his chest-puffing proclamations, often referring to himself as "perfect," a "legend," a "king" and, most memorably, as God himself. After everything he did for the city of Milan, the Rossoneri fans wound up convinced he was telling the truth.
Ibrahimovic will be remembered for more than just his quotations. He was a gifted goal-scorer, often netting the most impossible chances with supreme grace. His 2012 bicycle kick volley against England will go down in history as one of the most audacious goals ever.
While there were few dry eyes in the San Siro upon Ibrahimovic's farewell, he kept up his trademark good humor.
"There are so many emotions going through me now," he told the crowd, "but I will say, 'I'll see you around, if you're lucky."
More must-reads: