Zlatan Ibrahimovic thinks that it’s the right time for Kylian Mbappe to leave Paris Saint-Germain in order to develop as a player.

The 40-year-old Swedish forward’s contract expires with Milan at the end of this season but a one-year renewal is set to be signed, keeping him in Stefano Pioli’s squad for a little while longer. The player has been a key figure in the dressing room, being a strong reference point for the many young players in the first team.

Speaking in an interview with L’Equipe, Ibrahimovic first touched on how he feels playing at the age of 40.

“Normally, when you’re 40 years old, you’re at home, you light up a cigar and think back with satisfaction on the career you’ve had. But I’m not ready to smoke a cigar yet.”

He looked back at his experiences in France with Paris Saint-Germain.

“It’s not easy to play in Ligue 1, it’s not a lesser league as people say. France has great talents who have a great hunger for success, as well as being physically very strong. The French are known for their arrogance and they accused me of being arrogant.

“For this reason, I think they should feel proud because I have represented them at their best…. I miss France a little bit too, it wasn’t easy, but I had some good years there.”

The 40-year-old Swedish forward commented on the growth of PSG since his time at the club.

“I worked every day and I’m proud of what I did. Every day, the club gets bigger and bigger and I can say that I also gave my part, bringing what I had learned at Juventus and Milan. I didn’t adapt to PSG, it was the other way around.

“When the club signed me they wanted to reach the highest level, but there was a lot to work on. I’m proud to say to myself that I was there at the start, seeing where they’ve got to today.”

Ibrahimovic had clear thoughts about PSG shot stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

“He’s the strongest in the world and that’s it. There’s no question about it. I’ve played with him, I know what I’m saying.”

Finally, Ibrahimovic gave his thoughts on the Kylian Mbappe situation.

“It depends on what he wants and what he thinks. I would have gone to Real Madrid, but if I were a PSG manager I would try to keep him. Only he will decide.

“Mbappé asked me and I said, ‘If I were you, I would go to Real’. I played in different countries and that’s how I developed. If you always stay in your own backyard it’s easier. If you go to other people’s, it’s an adventure.”

5 thought on “Ibrahimovic: ‘Mbappe asked me what to do and I told him…’”
  1. A better player than Ronaldo for me, but not better than Messi.

    He didn’t have a polished profile, therefore no balon d’Or. Defo deserved it

  2. If Mbappe wants to win something more than easy league trophies, he should listen to Ibrahimovic and do exactly the opposite. Ibra is an expert failure with respect to winning meaningful silverware. He transferred to clubs who were dominating the league and collected a number of cheap league trophies. At the sight of a slight uphill battle, this clown buckles under the pressure and starts playing like John Carew.

    Sometimes I wonder what’s bigger, his ego or his nose.

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