Video footage of a speech from Zlatan Ibrahimovic following AC Milan's title win last season has resurfaced with the striker announcing his retirement from football over the weekend.
The former Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona striker confirmed that he will be hanging up his boots upon the expiration of his contract at Milan later this month on Sunday.
At 41-years-old, the Swede has done excellently to play at an elite level for as long as he has but has been limited to just four appearances for the Rossoneri this season having had to overcome a serious knee injury.
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Following the announcement, a video of the speech Ibrahimovic gave in the dressing room after Milan had secured their first Scudetto in 11 years last season has re-emerged and it shows exactly what sort of leader the striker is.
"Guys, from day one when I arrived - then others arrived afterwards - very few believed in us," the Swede said when addressing his teammates.
"But when we understood that we needed to make sacrifices, suffer, believe and work...When this happened we became a group. And when you're a group, you can achieve the things we've achieved. Now we're the champions of Italy.
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"First of all, I want to thank all the players. I'm now talking on behalf of the whole team. We also want to thank Paolo (Maldini), Ricky (Massara) and Ivan (Gazidis).
"It hasn't been easy," Ibrahimovic continued. "But we have been a real group this season. At the beginning of the campaign, no one believed in us but through these principles, we became stronger.
"I'm very proud of all of you. Now do me a favour: celebrate like champions because it isn't Milan that belongs to AC Milan, Italy belongs to AC Milan.
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With 496 goals in 827 matches across a 24-year career, Ibrahimovic will undoubtedly go down as a legend of football for his ability on the pitch. Additionally, he will also be remembered for his entertaining moments off of it, too.
Topics:Ā Zlatan Ibrahimovic, AC Milan
Dan Hargraves