Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s Achilles tendon injury seems to be more severe than initially feared, leading to questions regarding his future with Milan.
The 40-year-old was forced off the pitch during the first half of Milan’s Serie A clash against Juventus on January 23 and has yet to return to group training since. Ibrahimovic has scored eight goals in 19 appearances across all competitions this term but has already missed 14 games due to injuries.
Milan have developed and improved massively since Ibrahimovic returned to San Siro in January 2020. His leadership led a young group of players toward the first Champions League placement in eight years, but with his €7m-a-year deal expiring on June 30, questions are raised on whether he can still play a key role for the Rossoneri in the future.
Both Stefano Pioli and Davide Calabria insisted before the derby that the Swede is still crucial on and off the pitch for the Rossoneri. At the same time, Paolo Maldini claimed that the striker is open to signing a contract extension with the Serie A giants.
“Zlatan knows what he wants, he doesn’t fake anything, he knows what the possible agreement with Milan could be. If he doesn’t feel like continuing, he’ll be the first to say so,” the director said before Saturday’s match against Inter.
“His idea is to continue. Zlatan will never be a burden on this team, but only a resource.”
Ibrahimovic missed 19 games due to injuries last term, but this didn’t prevent Milan from reaching a top-four finish. However, the Rossoneri signed Olivier Giroud from Chelsea in the summer, knowing that Ibra would not be fit to play consistently this season.
The Swede is Milan’s highest earner and if the Rossoneri part ways with him in at the end of the season, they could have more financial resources to afford a top striker in the future.
Milan dealt blow as Ibrahimovic’s injury is worse than expected
The likes of Alexander Isak, Jonathan David and Andrea Belotti, who is available as a free agent, have been linked with a summer move to San Siro, while Milan signed 18-year-old striker Marko Lazetic in January, ending Pietro Pellegri’s loan.
Ibrahimovic’s charisma and personality would be dearly missed if Milan decided to part ways with their striker at the end of the season, so club directors must think twice before letting him leave.
The striker’s future may also be linked with Sweden’s World Cup play-offs in March. Ibrahimovic returned from international retirement one year ago and hopes to play at Qatar 2022.