Football – Serie A: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, scorer in quarantine

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has yet to give up the clash against Atalanta on Sunday (8:45 p.m.) and his summons with Sweden, is not the style to play it low profile when he talks about him. But the star AC Milan striker had to admit, despite himself, that he was not “not Superman“.

“When I was young, I played and that’s it, even though my tendon hurts like today”, he said last week. Before adding: “Over time, I discovered the head and how important it is to dialogue with your body. This year, I have to listen to every little sign he sends me. This is the only way I can avoid more serious consequences “.

These words are logical from a sportsman who has been evolving for 20 years at the highest level. But they are rare in the mouth of the one who, since his return to Milan in January 2020, sees himself in Benjamin Button, this character who is rejuvenating instead of aging. In his new role as tutor of a young team (third youngest in Serie A in average age), Zlatan Ibrahimovic is having fun. He has largely contributed to the renewal of the Rossoneri, vice-champions of Italy last season and return to the Champions League after seven years of absence.

Every other match

The Swede has scored fifteen league goals, but he also only participated in one in two matches (19), between Covid and injuries. If Milan extended him for a season against 7 million euros, the club’s biggest salary, the recruitment of a joker also appeared essential to limit dependence.The option Mario Mandzukic, often injured, did not worked and Olivier Giroud landed this summer.

For now, Zlatan Ibrahimovic continues to chomp on the brakes. Injured in May to the knee against Juventus, he had to give up the Euro with Sweden and resolve to an operation. His season finally seemed to be gone when he entered against Lazio (2-0) on September 12, even scoring a goal. The ace ! Due to a new Achilles tendon discomfort, he has not played since, missing the first Champions League matches in Liverpool (2-3) then against Atlético Madrid (1-2).

Package with Sweden

To see him again, we will have to wait for the resumption after the international break, on October 16 against Hellas Verona, Stefano Pioli confirmed this Saturday.. “I don’t know how many years he can still play. His physique will decide, but with his enthusiasm, his will, Zlatan goes beyond the difficulties”, estimated his trainer.

The Swedish federation has confirmed that the top scorer in its history (62 goals in 118 caps) would not be able to honor his summons for the qualifying matches for the 2022 World Cup against Kosovo and Greece on October 9 and 12 either. . Since coming out of international retirement in March, he has only played two matches for his country.

On Sunday, it is therefore from the stands that he will celebrate this milestone of 40 years, which few professional footballers manage to reach, especially in such a physical position. “This is the best reward for your professionalism”, wrote him on Saturday in the Gazzetta dello Sport Roberto Mancini, who owes him in particular the 2008 scudetto with Inter Milan, sealed thanks to a double by Ibra in Parma (2-0). Ibrahimovic “would have deserved” to win the Golden Ball, according to the Italian coach.

The Swede is currently fifth (and first foreigner) in the ranking of the oldest players to have scored in Serie A. At his next goal, he will overtake Francesco Totti (39 years and 364 days old). But he will not yet be able to beat this season the absolute record of Alessandro Costacurta (41 years and 25 days). For this, see you after October 28, 2022 …