Francesco Totti tells Zlatan Ibrahimovic to listen to his body but insists that the Swede is not in the same situation he was during the last year of his career.
The legendary Italian striker retired five years ago after a tense season with Luciano Spalletti in charge. The ex-Roma was 40 years old at that time and was no longer among the regular starter.
The Sweden striker has been struggling with injuries this season, especially since the start of 2022, when he has only started two Serie A games, missing five due to physical issues. Ibrahimovic will also miss the next ten days of action due to a knee problem.
“My situation was different from Zlatan’s,” Totti told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“I hadn’t had many injuries, I felt I could give my contribution, but I was put aside. I was playing just five or ten minutes per game. The last season was heavy, especially mentally. When you don’t play consistently, especially at a certain age, the body doesn’t rest but gets rusty.
“When you are accustomed to being introduced as a substitute, you lose rhythm. Your mind knows what to do, but your legs are not quick enough. You know you are better than the others, but the body can’t be in the game,” the ex-Roma striker continued.
“Right now, Zlatan is not playing and I can imagine his difficulties because his body is a demanding machine.
“However, from what I can see from the outside, he wants to remain on the pitch as much as Milan want to keep him. The problem is not technical, the problem is his playing time.
“I know what he feels, I think I know the questions he is asking himself and the desire to fight with the reality.”
Ibrahimovic’s contract with Milan expires at the end of the season. He is Milan’s highest earner with a €7m-a-year salary. The Rossoneri won’t offer him the same money if Ibra decides to continue playing for one more season.
“He has been one of the best strikers in the world, a spectacular footballer in every aspect: an absolute leader and an exemplary professional,” said Totti.
“As a football lover, I hope he continues, I hope that tomorrow morning he’d wake up without all the physical issues he’s having. It would be a gift for him and for all of us following football.”
What would he do if he were Ibra? Continue for one more season or retire?
“It’s a personal choice and I hope he continues until he wants, but only if his body allows him to be as decisive as he’s always been. If he spends more time on the sidelines than on the pitch, then it becomes heavy,” the former striker admitted.
“I felt sorry for myself when I was sitting on the bench in my final season and I hope he fell the same. I know how it feels to watch games from the bench for an entire season and I was even feeling well physically. A year like that can become endless.
“I hope I will see him celebrate a goal again in the final games of the season and after that, he should listen to his body. It will tell him what to do.”
Intervista esclusiva a #Totti: "Ibra ascolti il suo corpo. Un finale con gol e poi decida. Per il Milan resta importante" https://t.co/2iot36kUXz
— La Gazzetta dello Sport (@Gazzetta_it) April 14, 2022
Well. I`m not sure i understand Totti`s point here, but Zlatan problem is not technical or playing time, its physical, if Ibra is fit today, he will start every match
@ralph, well i am not sure you read the article.. Whaat totti meant by playing time is because ibra has physical problem that leads to reduced playing time. Different from Totti who was fit back then, but just stayed on the bench
Ralph. That is exactly what Tori was saying!