Milan legend Alessandro Costacurta believes Zlatan Ibrahimovic should not retire at the end of the season but admits that the Swede has made one crucial mistake this season.
The 40-year-old is on the treatment table due to knee issues and will miss the next ten days of action, at least. Milan coach Stefano Pioli has admitted that the striker is unsure about continuing his playing career beyond 2022.
His €7m-a-year deal at San Siro runs out in the summer and there is a huge debate in Italy on whether Ibra should hang his boots at the end of the season.
“My tip for Zlatan is don’t end up like this. The new injury could make the situation more stressful, but he must regain strength from here to write another page of this story. He must look ahead towards more marvellous targets,” Costacurta told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“I wouldn’t retire if I were him. He has always been an important player. Olivier Giroud has been essential too, but I still prefer Zlatan and I think he still has a lot to give. Of course, he can’t play every game, but he can be decisive in many matches.”
Totti gives advice to Ibrahimovic and says: ‘We are not in the same situation…’
Ibra has scored eight goals in 23 appearances this season but has only started two Serie A games in 2022, missing five due to injuries.
“He’s only made one mistake,” the ex-defender continued.
“Perhaps he rushed too much to come back. He must be calmer and don’t force his return. Some relapses may be caused by his desire to return early, but he must handle his body in a different way now. He must be more patient. One or two more days of treatment can make the difference.
“Zlatan played a key role in Milan’s return to the Champions,” added Costacurta. “I am not saying that it would have been a disaster without him, but Milan got off to a fresh start thanks to Ibra.
“The group has been shaped around him, building a winning mentality. It’s with him that Milan can become great again in Europe.”
Former Italy striker Francesco Totti also spoke about Ibrahimovic’s possible retirement yesterday, saying that the ex-Inter and Manchester United star should ‘listen to his body’ before taking a final decision at the end of his career. If Ibrahimovic decides to play for one more year, Milan will likely offer him a reduced salary for 2022-23.
Costacurta: "Ibra non può chiudere così: quando ha giocato è stato importante" https://t.co/ka9Ilr3iMB
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