AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has admitted he had decided to call time on his playing career in the summer, only to change his mind and sign with the Rossoneri for another season, Eko Hot Blog gathered.
The big Swede has continued to prove that age is just a number, as the 39-year-old has scored 11 goals in 10 total appearances for Milan this term.
Ibra’s form has been instrumental in Milan’s surprising early-season lead atop the Serie A standings, sitting five points clear of city rivals Inter in second place.
“The team is hungry, it has desire,” Ibrahimovic said in an interview with former Milan team-mate Massimo Ambrosini on Sky Sport Italia.
“We are doing well. We must not have dreams or goals, but play one game at a time. Or rather, I have a goal. But the team must do as well as possible, because it is very young.
“Now we can’t relax. Everyone only remembers the last game.”
Ibrahimovic made his return to the Italian capital seven years after departing to the French Capital, stating that his return would help catapult the Rosseneri to former glories.
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“Instead of arriving in a team that is already at the top, it is better to bring them back to the top,” Ibrahimovic said. “If I had been afraid, I would not have signed. Like at [Manchester] United, they told me that I only had to lose, that I was too old.
“Ten years ago I had another status, another ego. But today I have more experience. When you are young you are more rock ‘n’ roll, now I understand situations more.”
After spending a half-season with Milan, Ibrahimovic said he was at a crossroads this summer. After initially deciding to retire, the veteran ultimately decided to reverse that decision and sign another one-year deal with the club.
“[Milan manager Stefano] Pioli asked me what I wanted to do. I replied: ‘No, I am not going to continue. Enough. My family is also important, I’m here alone, it’s a sacrifice. For six months it’s fine, but I don’t want to stay another year.’
“Pioli said to me: ‘Okay, I respect you, okay.’
“The next day we talked again: ‘No, I’ve decided to retire. Forget the contract, at this age it’s not important.’
“Then something changed. I didn’t want to have any regrets. I called Milan and decided to go on. But at first I decided: ‘No, I won’t stay next year.’
“Already at United I was thinking of quitting. I was 35, 36 years old” he said.
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