Samuel Chukwueze expresses his determination to become a consistent goal scorer for AC Milan following his debut goal against Hellas Verona on Sunday. Chukwueze found the net with a powerful volley from inside the box just three minutes after replacing Noah Okafor.
The goal serves as a response to recent criticisms questioning his impact since joining Villarreal. In a statement to DAZN, the Nigerian international acknowledged the challenges he has faced in adapting but remains committed to working hard and trusting the coach's plans.
"This goal is significant for my confidence," Chukwueze remarked. "I aim to maintain this level of performance and continue finding the back of the net."
Chukwueze completed his move from Villarreal to the former Serie A champions last summer and has since made 17 league appearances for the Rossoneri, aiming to make a lasting impact with his goal-scoring prowess.
Victor Osimhen, the Nigerian football star, has quashed rumors linking him to a move to English Premier League clubs Liverpool and Chelsea. He's made it clear that he is content playing in Serie A with Napoli.
Throughout the summer transfer window, Napoli had to repel interest in Osimhen, who emerged as their top scorer last season with 26 goals in 32 Serie A matches. Manchester United, Chelsea, and Paris Saint-Germain were reportedly interested, but Napoli's president, Aurelio de Laurentiis, set a hefty price tag of over £100 million for the Nigerian international.
Consequently, interested clubs turned their attention elsewhere, and Osimhen continued with Napoli, starting the 2023-24 season with a commendable record of six goals and one assist in 10 games.
Despite his success on the field, Osimhen's future remains uncertain, with just two years left on his contract and reported difficulties in contract renewal negotiations. Additionally, there were concerning TikTok videos from Napoli that appeared to mock the player, leading to a brief threat of legal action by his agent, followed by a private apology.
Osimhen's season also included a dispute with manager Rudi Garcia and rumors of a strained relationship between De Laurentiis and the player. De Laurentiis had suggested he might sell Osimhen in 2024 if he doesn't agree to a contract extension, which attracted attention from Liverpool and Chelsea.
In a recent interview with Mario Balotelli and Emiliano Viviano, the 24-year-old affirmed his loyalty to Napoli, stating, "I am happy at Napoli. People don’t know how difficult it is to play in Serie A. From a tactical and physical point of view, it’s one of the most difficult leagues to play in."
In a poignant moment on Sunday, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the legendary footballer, announced his retirement from the sport following AC Milan's last match of the Serie A season.
Addressing the crowd on the hallowed grounds of San Siro after Milan's triumphant 3-1 victory over Verona, Ibrahimovic expressed, "It's time to bid farewell to football, not just to all of you."
Renowned for his acrobatic strikes, powerful long-range shots, and exceptional technique, Ibrahimovic leaves an indelible mark as one of the greatest strikers in the history of the game.
With an illustrious career adorned with 34 trophies, he stands among the most decorated and accomplished active footballers worldwide.
Over the course of his journey, Ibrahimovic netted more than 570 career goals, including a remarkable tally of over 500 club goals. Notably, he found the back of the net in each of the last four decades, a testament to his enduring prowess.
About Zlatan Ibrahimovic professional career
His professional career commenced in 1999 at Malmö FF before earning a reputation as one of Europe's most promising forwards during his tenure at Ajax, which he joined two years later. Ibrahimovic later ventured to Juventus and then signed with Inter Milan in 2006, capturing three consecutive Serie A titles.
In the summer of 2009, Ibrahimovic embarked on a high-profile move to Barcelona in what was one of the world's most expensive transfers at the time. However, after just one season, he returned to Italy, joining Milan's arch-rivals. In his debut season with Milan, he clinched the Serie A title, leaving an indelible mark on the club's history.
In 2012, Ibrahimovic graced the pitch for Paris Saint-Germain, leading the team to their first Ligue 1 title in 19 years while solidifying his status as a prominent figure in their dominance of French football. His time in France proved fruitful, securing four consecutive Ligue 1 titles, clinching the league's top scorer title three times, and becoming PSG's all-time leading goalscorer. Subsequently, in 2016, he ventured to Manchester United, capturing his first European honor in his debut season. In 2018, he embarked on an American adventure, joining LA Galaxy before returning to Milan in 2020, where he added another Serie A title to his remarkable collection in 2022.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Ibrahimovic holds the distinction of being one of eleven players to make 100 or more appearances for the Swedish national team, maintaining an international career spanning two decades. He proudly stands as Sweden's all-time leading goalscorer with an impressive tally of 62 goals.
The striker represented Sweden in multiple FIFA World Cups and UEFA European Championships, including the 2002 and 2006 World Cups and the 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016 European Championships.
In recognition of his exceptional performances, Ibrahimovic received the prestigious Guldbollen (Golden Ball) award, bestowed upon the Swedish player of the year, a record-breaking 12 times, including an impressive ten consecutive wins from 2007 to 2016.
One of the standout moments of Ibrahimovic's career came in 2013 when his extraordinary 35-yard bicycle kick goal for Sweden against England earned him the FIFA Puskás Award and is widely regarded as one of the greatest goals ever scored.
Ibrahimovic's footballing excellence was recognized on multiple occasions, earning him a spot in the FIFA FIFPro World XI in 2013 and the UEFA Team of the Year in 2007, 2009, 2013, and 2014.
AC Milan lead Inter Milan by two points going into the final day of the Serie A season as both sides won on Sunday.
Theo Hernandez’s superb goal sealed AC Milan’s 2-0 victory over Atalanta to put them on the verge of their first Serie A title for 11 years.
The French left-back’s solo run and finish sparked wild celebrations at a raucous San Siro, with Rafael Leao having already scored for the hosts.
But reigning champions Inter beat Cagliari 3-1 to keep the pressure on.
Milan will win the Scudetto with a draw at Sassuolo next Sunday as they have the superior head-to-head record in matches against their city rivals this season, with Inter needing to beat Sampdoria and hope Milan lose.
If Inter had failed to beat Cagliari, the title would have been Milan’s, but Simone Inzaghi’s side won to take it down the wire.
Matteo Darmian headed Inter ahead and Lautaro Martinez doubled the lead with a clinical finish.
Charalampos Lykogiannis gave Cagliari – and Milan – hope but Martinez’s late dinked effort sealed the win.
