Ibrahimovic in tears! Zlatan bids farewell to football after last AC game, Swedish legend struggles to handle emotions

AC Milan defeated Hellas Verona 3-1 at home on Sunday evening in the last round of the 2022/23 Italian Serie A season. But besides that, the Rossoneri said goodbye to Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is leaving AC after years, as he decided to end his active football career. And it was a truly emotional moment.

The end f a great football story. Zlatan Ibrahimovic said goodbye to the Rossoneri and announced the end of his active career after AC’s win over Hellas Verona on Sunday.

AC Milan sent Olivier Giroud into the lead in the last game of the 2022/23 league season when he converted a penalty kick in first-half stoppage time. However, Stefano Pioli’s charges were unable to convert their big game advantage into another goal for a long time, and so the visitors rejoiced in the 71st minute.

Davide Faraoni equalised at 1-1. Fourteen minutes later, however, Rafael Leão scored a beautiful goal to take the lead back to AC. But in the 92nd minute, he added another goal after a great solo effort.

The Almada native celebrated his contract extension at San Siro in spectacular fashion. Thanks to him, AC won 3-1 and ended the season with 70 points in fourth place, of course with a guarantee of participation in the Champions League for next season.

Emotional farewell

Immediately after the match, the home team prepared everything for the farewell to Zlatan. They even rolled out the red carpet for the Swedish canon, where he received a standing ovation from the entire stadium.

Ibrahimovic, his teammates, the fans, in short, everyone at the San Siro could see his greatest moments in an AC jersey on the big screen. Needless to say, the Milan stadium has become one big tear valley.

Ibrahimovic himself also had a hard time with the emotional farewell. Anyway, after the biggest rush of emotions, he took the microphone and gave his roughly two-minute speech. The farewell to Zlatan lasted about 16 minutes and AC Milan posted it on their YouTube channel.

“Even my family didn’t know, because I wanted everyone to hear it at the same moment I announced it,” Ibrahimovic said of the decision to end his active football career.

“I’m saying goodbye to football, but not to you. I have so many memories and emotions in this stadium. The first time I came here you gave me happiness, the second time you gave me love,” he said in his speech.

“I want to thank my family. I want to thank my other family – the players. I want to thank the coach and his staff for their responsibility, I want to thank the directors for the opportunity. Last but not least, I want to thank you, the fans, from the bottom of my heart. “

Sources: AC Milan, Serie A, Twitter