Zlatan Ibrahimovic explains why Milan were determined to bring in Alvaro Morata as a ‘complete striker’ and a ‘perfect example’ for the younger players in the squad. ‘He has the DNA of Milan.’
The club advisor sat next to the former Atletico Madrid player during the presentation press conference, having activated the €13m release clause in his contract.
Given extra vacation time for being in the Spain squad that won EURO 2024, the centre-forward only arrived in Italy last night and signed the contract this morning, having passed his medical in Madrid last month.
“I want to welcome the captain of the reigning European Champions,” said Ibrahimovic.
“What we were looking for was a complete striker, present on the field and off it. Morata is a perfect example for us, as last season we had the youngest overall squad. Alvaro will also have this role off the field and we’ll help him take on that responsibility.
“He was the captain at the Euros and a guide to his teammates, he is a winner and a champion at club and international level.”
How Ibrahimovic convinced Morata of Milan move
The Spaniard had also seemed to be on the verge of a move to Saudi Arabia when the Rossoneri stepped in, with Roma and a potential return to Juventus also among the options open to him.
“In order to convince him, I said I would bring him joy. I know that if you are happy off the field, you are happy on it. He is not a player who needs to grow, Alvaro is already at the top and complete,” continued Ibrahimovic.
“Last season the directors laid the foundations, this summer we are working on the details and Alvaro is one of those. He has the DNA of Milan and is a winner.”
Since retiring as a player, Zlatan has become a form of director who is taking a bigger role in the media in recent weeks, holding press conferences and giving interviews.
“In my first press conference, I said God created the world in seven days. Well, this is day four. We are very fired up. It’s a new coach, new staff, but every day that passes we see Paulo Fonseca’s identity getting into the team.”