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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