Swedish football great Ibrahimovic retires at 41

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) – AC Milan's veteran forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic, a Swedish football great, retired from football at the age of 41 on Sunday evening.

“It's time to say goodbye to football, but not to you,” an emotional Ibrahimovic told the San Siro crowd in Milan after Sunday's last match of the season that Milan won 3-1 over Hellas Verona.

Ibrahimovic said that it was "difficult and emotional" to bid farewell to AC Milan, where he had "so many memories."

"The first time I arrived (at AC Milan) you gave me happiness, the second time, you gave me love," Ibrahimovic said, adding that he felt at home while playing for the Rossoneri in two spells.

“We'll see you again. Forza Milan and goodbye,” Ibrahimovic said, thanking the players, coach, and staff as well as supporters.

Ibrahimovic has played for nine clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Juventus, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Manchester United, and Barcelona, to score 496 goals in 827 club matches.

The experienced forward had 156 goals for PSG in 2012-2016, which was his most fruitful goal-scoring stint.

He also scored 62 goals in 122 caps for Sweden to become his nation's all-time leading goal scorer.

Ibrahimovic played for AC Milan in 2010-2012, and in 2020-2023 to help the Rossoneri win the Italian Serie A title twice in 2011 and 2022.

In addition, he won domestic titles with Italy's Inter, Spain's Barcelona, France's PSG, and the Netherlands' Ajax.

Ibrahimovic was a Manchester United forward when the English powerhouse won the 2017 UEFA Europa League.