Zlatan Ibrahimovic announces retirement at 41; breaks into tears at San Siro

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Zlatan Ibrahimovic announced his retirement from football as the 41-year-old Swedish icon played his last match for AC Milan in the Serie A on Sunday. The footballer played his last game against Hellas Verona as Milan finished fourth on the table and qualified for Champions League.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, whose departure from the club was announced earlier by AC Milan despite his insistence to play next season, broke into tears during his farewell speech in front of the San Siro crowd as the player eventually called it a day.

"The first time we arrived at Milan you gave me happiness, the second time you gave me love. From my heart I want to thank you fans," he said. "You welcomed me with open arms, you made me feel at home. "I will be a Milan fan for the whole It's time to say goodbye to football, not you."

AC Milan announced this week that Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who ended his professional career with 405 goals in 637 games, had an injury-plauged season at 41. The player could make just four appearances this season while playing his last game against Udinese on March 18. He fired 34 goals in 64 games in his second stint at Milan, which lasted four seasons.

During his trophy-laden career, the Swede played for several top clubs including his boyhood club Malmo. This was followed by Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, PSG, LA Galaxy and two stints at AC Milan. He won the league titles in La Liga, Serie A, Ligue 1 and Eredivise.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic didn't reveal what the future holds for him but it's clear that the forward is unlikely to become a manager as he had revealed in the past that he doesn't have the temperament to be one.

When quizzed on a potential coaching career back in 2021, Ibrahimovic famously said: "Impossible. Because during the match I'd slap at least two players and, after the match, eight!"