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.
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.
