Zlatan Ibrahimovic was emotional after returning to action for Milan and suggested that he could stay with the team for ‘a few more years’.
The 41-year-old Swedish striker played the final 16 minutes of the Rossoneri’s 2-0 win over Atalanta, getting his first taste of action since May of last year.
After winning the Scudetto with Milan, Ibrahimovic underwent a knee operation and was sidelined for over eight months, but refused to rule out the possibility of retirement.
Speaking to Sport Mediaset, Ibrahimovic first discussed his emotions after taking to the pitch with Milan again.
“There is a lot of emotions, it’s been a year and two months since I’ve been able to play football the way I wanted to, I wasn’t well and I couldn’t do what I loved.
“Firstly, I suffered a lot, both for what happened with Mino Raiola and for my physical condition. It wasn’t easy, then we won the Scudetto which gave me back some energy but it wasn’t easy.
“Now being on the pitch is very nice. Today I was a bit nervous, but I have great trust and confidence in myself.”
The Swedish veteran noted how he could still make a difference to this Milan side.
“Since returning to the team, I’ve been confident that I can still make a difference and pass on my confidence and trust to others. It wasn’t a happy moment when I came back, but in the last three or four games we’ve been playing very well, I’ve seen a lot of hunger even in training.
“But we must not stop, we must continue and not be satisfied because one defeat is enough to call everything into question. In the meantime, however, today we enjoy this victory.”
He gave his thoughts on Napoli’s charge to the Scudetto this season.
“They are doing very well, they have a great coach who has never won the Scudetto but can do it this year.
“He deserves it, Spalletti has done so much for Italian football but winning the Scudetto for an Italian is the best. This year it is his and Napoli’s.”
Ibrahimovic reflected on his relationship with super-agent Mino Raiola, who unexpectedly passed away last year.
“For me he was everything, I’ve already explained it several times. It was an incredible relationship, he was the person who attacked me but at the same time made me stand up, he always made me feel hungry.
“He ‘manipulated’ me well mentally, he was everything to me. Now I’m going through professional football without him, it feels a bit strange. But that gives me the strength to continue, if he had been there today, he would’ve been proud of me.”
He looked back at his recovery and how things changed recently.
“The truth is that until three weeks ago I wasn’t feeling good, then something happened and I did more in three weeks than in the last eight months.
“I was always limited because the knee was swollen, but I have experience with the other knee, I know that you need time and patience.”
Finally, Ibrahimovic hinted that he could stay with the Rossoneri for the coming years.
“I give you this gift. If I am the way I am today, I will continue to play a few more years, not just next year.”