Zlatan Ibrahimovic: One step away from the end of his career and then a transfer to Napoli. Finally, he set out to save AC Milan

In his latest biography, Adrenaline, the legendary Zlatan Ibrahimovic has talked about everything possible. Immediately in the first chapter he describes his return to AC Milan and the changes that had to take place to bring the Milanese club back to the top. At the beginning of the narrative, however, he revealed an interesting thing. Not much was missing and everything could have been different.

In 2019, Zlatan Ibrahimovic was at a crossroads. As close as he was to ending his career, he was later even closer to a move to Naples.

After the Los Angeles Galaxy dropped out of the MLS playoffs, the famed striker decided to hang up his cleats. His agent, Mino Raiola, did everything he could to talk him out of the decision. According to him, someone on Zlatan’s level could not end his career in this way. But the Swede insisted. He wants to quit.

One step away from moving to Naples

Everything changed when Ibrahimovic watched a documentary about Diego Maradona. It showed footage of a game in Naples. The stadium was packed to bursting. Zlatan became alert and felt the adrenaline rush through his veins. He immediately picked up the phone and called Raiola.

“Call Naples. I’m going to Naples.”

He was thrilled at the idea of playing for Naples. Seeing him play in a packed stadium, with the crowd going crazy for him and managing to win a championship trophy for Napoli gave him a new, much-needed motivation.

Negotiations began and everything was agreed. Zlatan was essentially a Napoli player. He even held talks with then-coach Carlo Ancelotti. Together they discussed how Zlatan would play.

On the day he was to sign his contract, there was a breakthrough. Ancelotti was sacked and the transfer was off.

AC Milan’s mission

Zlatan picked up the phone and called his agent saying who needed him most. AC Milan had just lost to Bergamo 0: 5. “We’ll go to Milan,” the Swede decided. The challenge was to put AC back on top. That was the adrenaline rush the legendary striker needed.

Ibrahimovic watched his new teammates at training. He was horrified. “These guys don’t know what it means to play for AC Milan,” he mused. He couldn’t watch it. In Zlatan’s case, his presence in the team as such was even more important than his performances and contribution on the pitch.

He constantly put pressure on his teammates, demanding the best from them. Especially with the young, less experienced individuals. He was a boost for the whole of AC Milan and brought back the winning DNA to the team. The players started to listen to his advice and their enthusiasm for the game increased by 100%.

When he saw someone slacking off, he immediately shot him in the eye. Not off to the side anywhere, but in front of everyone so that what he says to one applies to the whole team. AC Milan went day by day and everything changed for the better. The team spirit, the willingness to sacrifice for each other. And the result?

Ibrahimovic alone scored ten goals in the first six months. Fifteen the next year and helped the club return to the Champions League. Last season, he lost a lot. But he was there for the team and kept everyone motivated. AC Milan won the title. After ten years. Mission accomplished.

Source: Zlatan Ibrahimovic – Adrenalin