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Zlatan Ibrahimovic has revealed that his desire to continue playing as long as possible has been key to him still performing at his best late in his career.
Despite missing two games following a positive coronavirus test, the 39-year-old has enjoyed a spectacular start to the season with AC Milan, who are four points clear at the top of Serie A.
With 10 goals already in just six matches, the former Swedish international is also Serie A’s top scorer and shows no signs of slowing down despite approaching the end of his career in the game’s elite finale.
But Ibrahimovic admits that he is not thinking of retiring while he can still compete and claims that a serious ligament injury that kept him out for seven months while at United in 2017 has inspired him to keep going for as long as he can.
“After my injury, I told myself that as long as I can play football I want to play,” he told the BBC.
But when you play at this level, it’s all about performance. If you act, if you bring results, you are still at the top level.
Ibrahimovic is back for his second spell at the Milan club, hoping to restore their former glories to them and end a 10-year wait for a league title.
The Swede was part of the team that last won Serie A in 2011 while on loan from Barcelona before staying one more season on a permanent contract before leaving for Paris Saint-Germain after 61 games and 42 goals.
Although he admits that the club is now a different challenge than he left in 2012, he is aware that he cannot live on past glory or reputation and that he is motivated to play to the best of his ability to maintain his place in the team.
“As soon as you don’t do that, someone else will come and act,” he added. ‘I like that pressure because I don’t want to be here because of what I’ve done before. I’m here for what I’m doing right now and that’s the pressure I put on myself.
‘Whatever I did before, I don’t bring it on the table now because it’s like I have to prove who I am every day. That is why I bring out the best in me every day. I’ll keep going until I can’t do these things I’m doing. ‘
After struggling to achieve his best form at United following his return from injury, he seemed ready to see his career in the United States after joining the LA Galaxy only to return to the San Siro earlier this year.
He enjoyed an impressive half-season at the club with 10 goals in 18 games and was planning to retire to spend more time with his family.
However, he claims that talks with chief Stefano Pioli in the summer convinced him to continue.
Pioli asked me what I wanted to do [about his future]” Ibrahimovic told Sky Sport Italia.
I replied: “No, I will not continue. Enough. My family is also important, I am here alone, it is a sacrifice. For six months it is fine, but I don’t want to stay another year.”
Pioli told me: “It’s okay, I respect you, it’s okay.” The next day we spoke again: “No, I have decided to retire. Forget the contract, at this age it does not matter.”
Then something changed. I didn’t want to regret it. I called Milan and decided to continue.
Source: m.allfootballapp.com
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