Milan star Zlatan Ibrahimovic insists he is not considering retiring and discusses the difference between the two knee injuries suffered in his career.
The Sweden international has been forced to the sidelines since May when he underwent knee surgery following Milan’s title win.
Reports in Italy last month suggested that the 41-year-old could retire in January if he doesn’t see progress in his recovery by the end of the year.
However, in an interview with CNN, Ibrahimovic said he is still not considering hanging his boots.
“I have a big passion for my game. I have a different situation now with my age and with the teammates I have, but I’m enjoying every day because I think when you stop football you will miss it so much that you don’t want to have any regrets saying I should have kept playing,” he said.
“I’m trying to stay at the level with these young guys working hard and just to keep the rhythm.
“I want to be healthy and, when I’m on that level, then I keep playing and see how far I can take it. As long as I can produce results, I will still play. The day I slow down, I want the people around me to be honest and say he’s slowing down and then I’ll be realistic,” he continued.
“I think in my case I have this drive, I want to become better every day. I have a mentality that if I don’t work hard enough, I’m not feeling good.
“And I think that brings you far, it brings you to a level where you challenge your body because it’s all about challenging yourself. How far can you reach? How far can you take your body?”
Ibrahimovic had suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in 2017, during his spell at Manchester United, and remained out of action for nearly one year.
“That was my first major injury so that everything was new for me,” the striker said.
“So I didn’t really know what was expecting, what was ahead of me when I was in that situation. At first, I was a little bit afraid because I didn’t really know if I could come back or what would happen. But slowly, I took it day by day.
“It was more a mental thing where I had to keep calm, keep patient and, let’s say, do a boring training.”
Ibrahimovic scored eight goals in 23 Serie A appearances last season, signing a contract extension until 2023.
Overall, he has bagged 92 goals in 159 games with the Rossoneri across his two spells with the Serie A champions.
LOL, who honestly will have the balls to tell Zlatan to his face he is slowing down?
I want to meet that person!
Ibra=legend
He not ACM player he’s a expensive cheerleader for the club,
Zlatan needs to get ready for one heck of a coaching career.
@Pele
“eight goals in 23 Serie A appearances last season”
Thats not too sloppy… for a cheerleader. Watch it son, you are way too deep.
I think no other club in the world would have him getting paid full salary to sit on the bench. Others would more than happy to retire but he’s too full of himself for that thinking he’s actually helping Milan. One thing is for sure tho if he does get to play this season it’ll be like Milan shooting themselves in foot which is good for everyone else.