41-year-young Ibrahimovic is determined to become an invaluable asset to AC Milan again after his return to Italy’s reigning champions. The Swede looks back on a physically and mentally tough period and does not intend to quietly wind down in Milan.
Ibrahimovic (41) came on Sunday evening against Atalanta Bergamo fifteen minutes before the end for Olivier Giroud and received a standing ovation in San Siro. The big star of Milan has been injured since May last year due to a knee injury. “I missed the fans so much. I want to thank them for giving me strength, adrenaline and the motivation to keep going. It is very difficult without their support,” Ibrahimovic told DAZN.
“I’m feeling good. I haven’t felt this good in over a year. I am able to do what I want again. And I feel free to do what I love and that’s just playing football. I said I would let San Siro jump, well it was jumping again,” said the ex-striker of Juventus, Internazionale and FC Barcelona, among others, laughing.
Difficult times
Ibrahimovic decided to go under the knife after last season’s last league game against Sassuolo because of a lingering knee injury and was sidelined for months. “If I have to tell the whole story, I’ll be here for hours. But I suffered a lot, a lot. The last six months of last season I wanted to help the team in every way I could, even when I couldn’t really play. I could have had the surgery six months earlier, but I knew we could win the Scudetto last season,” said the Swede.
“I promised the coach that I would postpone the operation because I wanted to be there for the team and help them. And I tell you, I have never suffered so much for a prize as I did last season. It was also the year of the death of Mino (Raiola), mentally it was also tough. Fortunately, I have people around me who give me strength. And when I’m back in shape, I’ll be stronger than anyone,” the striker added.
Ibrahimovic has become the oldest Milan player ever to play in a Serie A match. The striker does not intend to play a role as a ‘luxury mascot’ at the Rossoneri. “I don’t play here based on my past, I want to keep challenging my teammates for playing time. Otherwise I wouldn’t be here anymore. I’m not here for what I showed ten or five years ago. As soon as I think I can’t mean anything anymore or can only participate in the last five minutes, I’ll stay home. I want to play full matches again,” concludes Ibrahimovic.
