Following AC Milan’s victory against Verona in their final Serie match on Sunday, June 4, the renowned Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic declared his retirement from the game at the age of 41. Ibrahimovic, who was widely recognised as one of his generation’s top scorers, finished his storied and adventurous stint at San Siro.

Ibrahimovic, who has been sidelined since sustaining an injury to his hamstring in March of this year, sat in the stands at home to witness Rossoneri destroy Verona 3-1. Ibrahimovic only made four starts in Italy’s top division this season because of recurring ailments, and he scored a single goal during a 1-3 loss to Udinese. As he scored that goal made sure he became the oldest Serie A goal scorer ever, but it also turned out to be his final career strike.

Ibrahimovic began his football career in 1999 with Malmo, the team from his hometown, and proceeded on to make appearances for eight different teams in seven different leagues. With French powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain from 2012 to 2016, he played some of his best football, tallying 156 goals in 180 games. Ibrahimovic has also suited up for European powerhouses Barcelona, Manchester United, as well as Ajax in addition to AC Milan’s main rivals Inter Milan and Juventus.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic played football well into his thirties, making it seem as though his career would never end. The forward flourished at both Manchester United and PSG in his thirties, showing no signs of slowing down.

The Swedish player finishes his spectacular career with five Serie A championships, four Ligue 1 championships, one La Liga championship, as well as the Europa League. To express this news the way the former striker would it would be said that football has retired from Ibrahimovic rather than Ibrahimovic retired from football. 

After AC Milan’s final game against Hellas Verona, the fans bid adieu to one of the greatest football players of all time and also brought a tifo which read ‘God Bye’. The rousing reception from the AC Milan home supporters was able to make Zlatan along with several other players and staff members from the team.