Milan star Zlatan Ibrahimovic admits being ‘frustrated’ due to his injuries this season, but insists he is trying ‘in any way’ to help Milan win the Scudetto: ‘We only miss a trophy.’
The 40-year-old has been struggling with injuries this term, especially since the start of the year. However, the Rossoneri have managed to cope without the Swede and are now on top of the Serie A table with a two-point lead over Inter with only three games remaining.
“The team is working hard and has a big will. It has been making big sacrifices to achieve the objective we have this season,” Ibra told ESPN.
“The campaign has been good so far. We had some setbacks, but the team is still young, is growing, getting more and more experience, we are at the top of the table at the moment. We just need to focus, keep doing what we are doing and we have promised to do our best.
“I know from my own experience that in football, from one week to another, a lot of things can change.”
Ibrahimovic returned to San Siro in January 2020 and the Serie A giants have developed massively since his comeback. Last season, they qualified for the Champions League for the first time in eight years and now they have a chance to win their first Scudetto in 11 years.
“I’ve been here for two and a half years, we have been in first and second place but we haven’t won something yet and if you don’t win, it could be pretty difficult because nothing is coming back despite all the efforts, so you don’t have that credit for what you are doing,” he said.
“We are just missing a trophy now because we are doing everything perfectly. I am trying to do what I am able to do in many ways.”
The Swede admits being frustrated due to his many injuries this term. He has missed 18 games due to physical issues and has started only two Serie A games since the start of 2022.
“Of course, I am frustrated. I used to go on the pitch, help the team on the field. Most of all, I am suffering because I am not able to play the game I love to play,” he said.
“That adrenaline I have comes from the field, but if I am not there, I try to help in another way because I still have this responsibility and my teammates look at me in the same way, whether I play or not. I am trying to help in anyway way.
“This is something collective, we do this together. Even if I am not on the field, I trust my players, I know they are there to give the best they can do and we do it together. Even if I am not on the field. This is not a one-man show, we do this together. That’s why the season has been going so good, this is something collective and the individual part works as well. Now it’s all about winning. If we win I’ll be as happy as I was on the field.”
His contract runs out in the summer, but he hasn’t yet taken a decision over his future. Both Stefano Pioli and Paolo Maldini have recently claimed that Ibra has the last word and he will decide whether to continue or not until 2023.
“I am close to the goal line. I didn’t come over yet. As I wrote in the book, I am a little panicking because after that, what do I do? I know I can do a lot of things, offers I will have from all over the place, but the adrenaline I get on the field, I will never get that in something else. I try to postpone the goal line.
“Obviously, I want to be healthy, I want to be able to enjoy the game, I want to feel good when I play. It makes no sense to play if you suffer too much, it’s better to be realistic and tell yourself: ‘It’s enough’ and start a new chapter, but I am not there yet. If I am preparing to stop, I am not able to help my teammates and I am not helping myself to achieve what I want. In my mind, I am not there yet. I am a bit scared of stopping playing the game.”
New "Gab and Juls Meets…" is out. Guest is @Ibra_official
Among other things..
– Milan's title challenge
– Commandeering a scooter when stuck in traffic + late to a commitment
– Fear and panic about what comes next
– Smashing down walls for immigrantshttps://t.co/YAy4qPym3w— Gabriele Marcotti (@Marcotti) May 4, 2022