Zlatan Ibrahimovic is set to retire at the end of the current season following his persistent knee injury that has limited his input in Serie A.
The veteran Swedish was a member of AC Milan’s title-winning team and his presence at Milan since his return to San Siro in 2019 is as much about his experience and dressing room leadership.
However, there are signs that this could be Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s last season, according to reports in Italy, the 41 year old has been working on a rigorous regime for his knee.
The last time Ibrahimovic completed a game was in January 2022, and over his last seven appearances, he has not played more than 23 minutes.
Last season, the Swede played a key role in Milan winning the Serie A league with eight goals in 27 games.
The 41-year-old AC Milan star has been recovering from knee surgery since last summer.
Ibrahimovic is hoping to return for the Italian powerhouse, AC Milan, in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 ties against Tottenham.
However, he is anticipated to miss the first leg on February 14 and it is unknown if he will be able to participate in the return match in London on March 8, 2023.
According to a recent report from Gazzetta Dello Sport, Ibrahimovic plans to retire in the summer.
He will next take on an ambassadorial role with Milan, a team with which he has enjoyed two successful stints.
Ibrahimovic ruled off any possibility of his 24-year playing career coming to an end when he was sidelined indefinitely in September due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
He declared to Gazzetta Dello Sport: “I have no fear. I’m in good health and working hard to return.”
Ibrahimovic has captured the Italian League title five times, twice with AC Milan and three times with Inter Milan.
He won two scudettos with Juventus that were later reversed.
Ibrahimovic returned from the LA Galaxy two years ago to aid Milan in ending their Scudetto drought while playing with an injury.
While recovering from an ACL injury, he is expected to make a comeback before the season is done, but the former Barcelona player will probably need to pick a choice.
Ibrahimovic has also won four Ligue 1 championships with Paris Saint-Germain, the La Liga crown with Barcelona, and two Eredivisie championships with Ajax.
He has scored over 510 goals in 862 appearances at the club level. He has earned 121 caps for his country and has reached the back of the net a record-breaking 62 times.
Ibrahimovic has won recognition and awards almost everywhere he has gone, including numerous individual ones like Golden Boots and Player of the Year awards. His mere presence elevates standards among the team members everywhere he plays.
