Milan coach Stefano Pioli said Zlatan Ibrahimovic is desperate to play a leading role in the final-day clash with Sassuolo.
The Rossoneri know a point will be enough to secure their first Scudetto since 2010-11 and Pioli said the 40-year-old wants to start.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the clash with Sassuolo, Pioli told reporters: “Ibrahimovic would love to start tomorrow – like all of us.
“The season ends tomorrow and we will take stock. There is a difference between winning and not winning. Everyone must think they can be decisive.”
Despite no longer being a guaranteed starter, Pioli was full of praise for Ibrahimovic’s influence on the team.
He added: “Ibrahimovic has been very important for us. He brought a mentality, quality, intelligence and personality that a young squad like ours needed.
“He remains a reference point. His team-mates have been equally as good in following him.”
Ibrahimovic’s influence on Milan has been transformational.
He arrived just weeks after the Rossoneri’s humiliating 5-0 defeat to Atalanta in January 2020 and, following the lockdown brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, Milan finished the season strongly and qualified for the Europa League.
The next season they mounted a brief title challenge and, while unable to sustain it, they returned to the Champions League after an eight-year absence.
A young team, Ibrahimovic has used his experience to help the players deal with the weight of expectation and pressure at Milan.
The Sweden forward was part of the last Milan side to win the title.
I hope he wins us another title. Love Zlatan, he is a true Milinista!
He starts he scores. That simple