2023-06-05 02:25:27
After announcing the end of his career on Sunday, after Milan’s victory over Hellas Verona (3-1), “Ibra” spoke at a press conference.
What is your state of mind after announcing the end of your playing career?
Zlatan Ibrahimovic : It has been a long career, of which I am proud. Today was my last professional day. I wanted to thank Milan and all the teams I played with. Let’s enjoy now, a new chapter begins. When I woke up (Sunday morning, Editor’s note), it was raining, I said to myself that even God was sad (smile). Even my family was not aware (of his decision, editor’s note), I had not told anyone. I wanted, when I was going to announce it, everyone to learn it at the same time. But the emotions were too strong, I felt like a zombie. Football made me become a man, introduced me to people I could never have met, I traveled all over the world thanks to football…
You have spoken in the past about the panic you feel about quitting. When and how did the idea of quitting finally take hold?
Footballers have been programmed for years. Panic is waking up and not knowing what to do. The adrenaline will be different, I will no longer have a set program to follow. Usually I eat with the team, I will miss the locker room. But I am ready and I accept the situation. I made the decision in the last 10 days, I said to myself now enough is enough. Of course, all players dream of finishing on the pitch, playing, unfortunately I couldn’t (calf injury, editor’s note). It was still a great emotion.
I don’t think I will leave the world of football.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Do you have plans to continue in football, as a coach or manager?
For now, I want to take the time to enjoy what I’ve done, to savor. We must not decide too quickly, there are too many emotions today. I want to take the summer, reflect and when the situation calms down a bit, we’ll look. Coach or manager, it’s a big responsibility. Coach, you have less freedom than a player to do what you want. But I don’t think I will leave the world of football.
Statements made at a press conference
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