Zlatan Ibrahimovic abruptly announced his retirement from football on Sunday, capping off a long and trophy-laden career.
Following AC Milan's 3-1 win over Verona, veteran striker Ibrahimovic announced his retirement during an on-field ceremony.
"It's time to say goodbye to football, not just to you," Ibrahimovic remarked on the San Siro field.
"I'm dealing with too many emotions right now." "Forza Milano, and good luck."
After his departure from the seven-time European winners was revealed on Saturday, the 41-year-old was expected to say goodbye to Milan fans.
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He returned to Milan in late 2019 for a second stint, following a two-year term in which he won the Serie A title in 2011.
After his return to Milan, Ibrahimovic was a vital component in the club's resurgence to the top of Italian football, helping to pull them back from the brink of relegation and eventually winning the Scudetto last season.
"The first time I came here, you gave me happiness, and the second time you gave me love," Ibrahimovic explained.
"You welcomed me with open arms, made me feel at home, and I will be a Milanista for the rest of my life."
Ibrahimovic won league titles in the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, and France during his career, but his sole big European prize was the 2017 Europa League with Manchester United.
He has barely played for Stefano Pioli's side this season because of a slew of injuries, returning in February following surgery on his left knee in May.
He signed a contract in July that paid him roughly one million euros ($1.02 million) in fixed pay, plus hefty bonuses tied to appearances and achievements.
However, the 41-year-old only started one game and scored once for Milan this season, a 3-1 triumph against Udinese in March in which he became the league's oldest goal scorer.
He then suffered a calf injury in a pre-match warm-up in April, thereby ending his career and ending rumours that he was scheduled to relocate to Monza and compete in Euro 2024 with Sweden.
