Category: Serie A

Paul Pogba leaves Manchester United and signs for Juventus (again)

For a second time, the France star has left Old Trafford on a free and signed with Juve

For the second time, Paul Pogba has joined Juventus after leaving Manchester United on a free transfer.

Pogba left United in 2012 in search of more senior minutes and proceeded to develop into a star with Juventus. The France international returned to United in 2016 as the Red Devils forked out £89 million and made Pogba the world’s most expensive player at the time.

But, as Juventus said in its announcement confirming Pogba’s return: “Although we parted ways, we never really forgot about each other, and there is something ancestral in the call that after a thousand adventures eventually leads you back home.”

Pogba is now back home after leaving Manchester United following the expiration of his contract.

The 29-year-old has signed a four-year contract according to multiple reports and will wear the No. 10 in Turin as he did during his first spell.

Pogba failed to live up to expectations at Old Trafford, as he was sporadically brilliant but often suffered through injuries or indifferent form.

He’ll hope to return to his best in Turin as he aims to bring Juventus back to the top of Serie A and also looks to help France win a second consecutive World Cup later this year.

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Italy and Juventus legend Giorgio Chiellini signs with LAFC

The veteran will play outside of Italy for the first time in his club career

Los Angeles FC has announced the signing of Italy and Juventus legend Giorgio Chiellini.

The 37-year-old defender joins after spending nearly 20 years with Juventus, where he won nine Serie A titles and reached third on the club’s all-time appearance list.

Chiellini will reportedly sign an 18-month contract that will take him through the end of the 2023 season. He was signed with target allocation money and will not be a designated player for LAFC.

The defender played his final match for Italy in this month’s “Finalissima” against Argentina, as his international career concluded after 117 caps. Chiellini was a bedrock of Italy’s defense for over a decade and lifted the Euro 2020 title last summer.

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End of the road? AC Milan star Zlatan Ibrahimovic out 7-8 months after knee surgery

The Swede’s incredible 23-year career could be nearing the end after another knee surgery

Could this be the end of Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s legendary career?

AC Milan has announced that the 40-year-old striker has undergone a knee operation and will miss 7-8 months, potentially spelling the end of the Swede’s long and decorated journey in the game.

“AC Milan announces that Zlatan Ibrahimović underwent an operation on his left knee carried out by Dr Bertrand Sonnery-Cottet, with the Club’s Medical Director Stefano Mazzoni in attendance, at the Hôpital Jean Mermoz in Lyon,” read a club statement.

“The arthroscopy had been planned for a while to definitively resolve the joint’s instability through the reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament, with lateral reinforcement and meniscus reparation.

“The operation was a complete success and the prognosis is estimated between 7 and 8 months.”

Ibrahimovic suffered a torn ACL while with Manchester United in 2017, with Wednesday’s surgery seeming to be in relation to that injury.

What’s next for Ibrahimovic?

Ibrahimovic has only just added yet another trophy to his massive collection, helping AC Milan win Serie A this season while scoring eight league goals.

Even before the announcement of his knee surgery, Ibrahimovic’s future was in doubt as his contract gets set to expire next month.

Speaking to Sky Sport Italia after Milan’s title win, the striker said of his future: “When I feel good, then I’ll see what the situation is. I still feel that I can make the difference when I’m on the pitch. I don’t see another Ibra out there.

“I will make a decision over the next few days. I had a really tough time lately, it was bad both physically, but also for other personal matters. At the end of the day, I did everything I could to help Milan win this trophy.

“I was afraid that I might have to quit, but I want to do it my way.”

Over an incredible 23-year career, Ibrahimovic has won league titles in the Netherlands, Italy, Spain and France, while also winning multiple trophies with Manchester United. The striker also fired in 53 goals in just two seasons in MLS with the LA Galaxy in 2018 and 2019.

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Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrated AC Milan’s Serie A title as only he can

The Swedish star enjoyed some cigars and champagne before flipping a table in the dressing room

Puffing cigars, spraying champagne and flipping over tables, Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrated AC Milan’s first Serie A title in 11 years exactly as you’d expect.

Milan clinched the title on Sunday by defeating Sassuolo 3-0 on Sunday, the club’s first Scudetto since the 2010-11 season.

At age 40, Ibrahimovic was still a major part of his side’s success this season, contributing eight league goals in addition to his usual larger-than-life dressing room persona.

Amid the celebrations, the Swede spoke to Sky Sport Italia and said: “It’s wonderful, I was here last time Milan won and 11 years later we win it and I’m here again.

“I arrived here making a promise and I kept it. Many laughed when I said that we’d win the Scudetto again, but we worked hard and showed the team what it means to suffer for your results.”

Ibrahimovic dedicates title to Raiola

Ibrahimovic also took a moment to dedicate Milan’s title to Mino Raiola, his longtime agent who passed away last month at the age of 54.

“I dedicate this to Mino, he was one of those who wanted me at Milan and told me I was the only one who could save Milan. I dedicate this trophy to him.”

The striker was coy on his playing future past the current season, but when asked what Raiola’s advice would be he quipped: “Let’s play another 10 years and steal more money!”

Ibrahimovic flips table in dressing-room speech

Milan’s celebrations continued into the dressing room, where Ibrahimovic gave an impassioned speech to his teammates that included a dramatic and well-timed table flip.

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