The man, the myth, the legend is stepping away from soccer.
Zlatan Ibrahimović retired on Sunday at the age of 41 after AC Milan‘s 3-1 victory over Verona in the season finale. He did not play in the match as he’s been out with a calf injury since April and his contract was set to expire at the end of the season. While wearing a black button-up and pants, he gave an emotional speech after the game to the crowd at San Siro, who displayed a tifo in the stadium that said “Godbye.”
“I can’t breathe but it’s okay, so many memories and so many memories inside this stadium. The first time I came here you gave me love, then happiness,” he said in Italian, per CBS Sports’ Francesco Porzio. “I want to thank my family for their patience. I want to thank my second family, my teammates. I thank the coach, the staff, the managers. Lastly, but with my heart, I want to thank you fans. It’s time to say goodbye to football, but not to you.”
Besides two stints with AC Milan where the team won two Scudettos, Ibrahimović’s 24-year career included time with Malmö FF, Juventus, Inter Milan, FC Barcelona, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and the Los Angeles Galaxy. He scored 496 goals in club play and is the leading scorer for the Swedish national team with 62 goals.
Among the many social media tributes from fans and former teams, two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo sent congratulations to the Swedish superstar with a post on Twitter that was signature Ibrahimović.
“Lions don’t compare themselves with humans. -Zlatan Ibrahimovic,” the Milwaukee Bucks player said with a photo of Ibrahimović sliding on his knees in celebration during an AC Milan game. “Congrats on the unbelievable career my friend.”
Zlatan Ibrahimović’s Los Angeles Galaxy days
After building his resume in Europe as an elite scorer, Ibrahimović played in the MLS for two short yet impactful seasons with the Galaxy. He scored an astounding 53 goals in 58 games and enraptured American soccer fans with his brazen personality. In 2018, the Galaxy introduced him to the city with a full page ad in the Los Angeles Times in the form of a letter signed by Ibrahimović that read, “Dear Los Angeles, You’re Welcome.”
NO COMPETITION: Zlatan Ibrahimović remains Los Angeles’ most outspoken global icon — even with LeBron James in town
A year after playing in the MLS, he was outspoken about what he thought about the quality of soccer in the American league. His comments birthed one of his most famous quotes.
“MLS is not the level of Europe, to be honest. Before, I played with players either on my level or close to it. Which makes the game connect easier,” he said in an ESPN feature. “… Here, I am like a Ferrari among Fiats. And it can happen that the Ferrari can become the Fiat, or the Fiat can become the Ferrari.”
This wasn’t the first time Ibrahimović compared himself to the luxury sportscar. In 2009-2010 when he was unhappy with how Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola was utilizing him in his lone season at Camp Nou, he said, “When you buy me, you are buying a Ferrari. If you drive a Ferrari, you put premium petrol in the tank, you hit the motorway and you step on the gas. Guardiola filled up with diesel and took a spin in the countryside. He should have bought a Fiat.”
Ibrahimović left the Galaxy after the 2019 season when they were knocked out of the conference semifinals by their new rival, LAFC. He had one goal in the 5-3 loss.
IMPACT: Zlatan Ibrahimović’s return lifts AC Milan yet again
Ibrahimović’s farewell was on par with his greeting.
“I came, I saw, I conquered. Thank you @lagalaxy for making me feel alive again,” he posted on Twitter. “To the Galaxy fans – you wanted Zlatan, I gave you Zlatan. You are welcome. The story continues…Now go back to watch baseball.”
Zlatan inspired ‘Ted Lasso’ character Zava
Ibrahimović has shared moments with rap superstar Drake, the Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 team and he has released three books — “I am Zlatan,” “I am Football” and “Adrenaline” to feed the lion of his persona.
His status as a pop culture icon was further cemented in the hit show “Ted Lasso.” The sitcom’s creators, Jason Sudeikis and Brendon Hunt, paid homage to the soccer legend through the character Zava, who was introduced to AFC Richmond in Season 3.
“He’s a mixed bag of various iconic, perhaps a bit diva-ish, but incredibly superhuman players. The biggest influence is Zlatan Ibrahimović,” Hunt told CNN-News18 of Zava’s inspiration, “because Zlatan, besides being a phenomenal player, a unique player who scores goals that no one else can score, he is also a bit of a football philosopher. He just says ridiculous things.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Zlatan Ibrahimović — soccer, pop culture icon — retires at 41
Source link: https://sports.yahoo.com/look-zlatan-ibrahimovi-mls-career-221412040.html?src=rss
