Zlatan Ibrahimovic has played down suggestions that he could be close to calling it a day on an illustrious 24-year career in the professional game, but has stressed the importance of finding the right ‘balance’ after a season plagued by injury setbacks.
The 41-year old striker has registered just four appearances for Milan over the course of the 2022-23 season, however, he is still confident that he has ‘a lot to offer’ the Rossoneri in the future.
In an interview on page 30 of Friday morning’s La Gazzetta dello Sport, Ibrahimovic said he always feels ‘like Superman’ when he returns from injury, but admitted that his recent injury struggles have been difficult to deal with mentally.
“I always have to bring results,” Ibrahimovic told the paper.
Assessing Milan’s results in 2022-23, he continued: “This year we were playing for 4 trophies and came away with zero in the end. We are not talking about a complete failure, but it did not go as I wanted. You work 11 months to achieve something special, if it does not happen you learn and you grow, but in the end you want a reward. The prize is the trophy, not the salary.”
Asked how he has been after a series of lengthy spells away from the pitch this season, Ibrahimovic responded: “I’m fine. I’ve been working a lot, not only this year but last year as well. But when I was k.o., the team were left short. And when you’ve done something your whole life, when you know what you have to do but you can’t do it, then you can’t be at peace with yourself, I don’t give myself peace.
“I didn’t find the balance. One moment everything is going at full speed and then, bam, immediately nothing. This thought keeps going round in my head. But, my head is too strong, I feel like Superman every time I come back, but I have to have balance.”
Inrahimovic was then asked by La Gazzetta whether he has any intentions to draw his career to a close in the near future.
“No, no, I’m not one to quit,” he replied. “But there must also be joy in what you do, I cannot fail to have peace. But we’re not there yet. I think I still have a lot to give. Am I thinking about quitting? I don’t think so. Should I keep playing? I think so. But I have to find balance, because if you don’t have serenity and stability in life, you are a bomb and bombs explode.”
I have no issues with him staying. But only on a pay per play contract. In the currently financial climate, every penny counts when it comes to wages. He has barely stepped on the pitch.
Don’t care what capacity he stays in as long as he stays.