Zlatan Ibrahimovic has poured cold water on whispers of retirement despite the 40 year old being sidelined with a knee problem until 2023, warning that he will return with violence when he does make his recovery.
The Swedish talisman had surgery on his anterior cruciate ligament in May after his side had clinched the Serie A title ahead of cross-city rivals Inter, revealing that he had been playing through the pain for some time.
And, with the veteran not expected back until at least January, there was speculation that he could use this time to call time on his glittering career. However, in an interview with Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport, Ibrahimovic shot down these rumours, revealing that he would only do so when he met a stronger player, something that has yet to happen.
“If I see a player stronger than me, I’ll stop. But I haven’t seen him yet”, he explained.
“I am arrogant, [I have] zero fear. I’m fine, I work every day to come back. When I come back, I’ll be heard, you can count on it.
“I’ll [return] with violence. It takes patience – this is the key now.”
Ibra glowing in Milan transfer review
Meanwhile, the Swede was quick to praise the business done by his side over the Summer. Though they lost Franck Kessie to Barcelona, Milan managed to add Sergino Dest, Divock Origi and Malick Thiaw to their side, but it is the signing of Club Brugge striker Charles de Ketelaere that their veteran forward believes has made them a stronger side than last season.
“De Ketelaere is top, I say so. You just have to give him some time to grow,” Ibra added.
“We are even stronger than last year as a group. Overall, we are a better team, the market in the summer after the Scudetto strengthened us and now we have more alternatives on the bench.”
“If I hadn’t liked it [the transfer business], I wouldn’t have been here.”
:quality(70)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/xlmedia/75056cb2-70a2-47ac-a9bf-dc86877bc260.png)
