Zlatan Ibrahimovic retires from football aged 41

 ROME - The AC Milan star, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, has announced that he is retiring from football saying "the time has come to say goodbye to football.” The striker's contract expires at the end of June and he had already announced he would not be renewing it following an injury-plagued season.

 A clearly emotional Ibrahimovic was serenaded by Milan fans at San Siro stadium after their last game of the season. The fans held up a large Tifo spelling out 'Godbye' and was then given a guard of honour by his teammates as he left the pitch.

 Speaking on the pitch at full-time after AC Milan’s match against Hellas Verona in which Milan won 3-1, Ibrahimovic said: "I have so many memories and lived so many emotions in here, the first time I arrived here you gave me happiness. The second time love.”

 "I want to thank my family, everyone close to me, for their patience. I want to thank my second family, the players. I want to thank (AC Milan head coach Stefano) Pioli and his staff for the responsibility you have given me. I want to thank the managers for the opportunity.”

 "But most important of all: from my heart I want to thank you fans. You welcomed me with open arms, you made me feel at home. I will be a Milan fan for life. The time has come to say goodbye to football, but not to you. I have too many emotions that are passing through me. See you around, if you're lucky. Forza Milan and goodbye.”

 The striker started his professional career at Malmo FF in 1999 and left for Ajax Amsterdam in 2001 before embarking on a career that has included leading European teams including Manchester United, Inter Milan and AC Milan. Ibrahimovic arrived in Milan for his second spell with the club in early 2020, having won the Scudetto with them in 2011, and helped them win the title again last season.

 Ibrahimovic, Sweden's all-time top scorer with 62 goals in 121 matches, quit the national team after Euro 2016 but returned in 2021 for their unsuccessful World Cup qualifying campaign.

 Throughout his career Ibrahimovic won 34 trophies - including 14 league titles - in a career that began in the last century, and was nominated for the Ballon d'Or 11 times. The one major club trophy that eluded him was the Champions League, with his only European title coming with Manchester United in the shape of the 2017 Europa League.

 "I used to be scared when journalists asked by about my future, but now I can accept it, I'm ready," he told reporters after his announcement. "I've been doing this all my life. Football made me a man. It allowed me to know people I otherwise would never have known. I've travelled the world thanks to football. It's all thanks to football."

 eb