Zlatan Ibrahimovic renewed his contract with AC Milan at the age of 40. Players in their mid-30s are still active on the European stage.
AC Milan said on the club’s website on the 18th (Korea Standard Time), “I’m happy to announce the renewal of the contract with Ibrahimovic. He officially announced, “We will be together until June 30, 2023, and we will continue to play with our number 11.”
Ibrahimovic has been playing for AC Milan since 2020. Ibrahimovic, who played for Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Manchester United, was spending his twilight years as a player at the LA Galaxy in Major League Soccer (MLS). Meanwhile, he made a surprise transfer.
Ibrahimovic was already in his late 30s when he joined AC Milan. Nevertheless, his presence was great. He scored 10 goals and 5 assists in 18 games even after playing in the second half of the 2019-2020 season. In the 2020-21 season, he also scored 15 goals and 2 assists in 19 Serie A games. Last season, he scored at an important moment, ranking third in the team’s standard score (8 goals).
Outside the stadium, the influence was huge. In particular, Ibrahimovic said after AC Milan reached the top of Serie A for the first time in 11 years last season, “We have become Italy’s champions. Now do me a favor. Enjoy yourself as a champion. AC Milan is not owned by Milan. Italy belongs to AC Milan,” he said, turning the locker room into a frenzy.
The offer of a contract extension was a natural result for the team leader with outstanding charisma. Now, at the age of 40, Ibrahimovic continues his challenge with Hanber AC Milan again. In particular, he will participate in the UEFA Champions League this season following last season.
Britain’s “Give Me Sports” reported the extension of Ibrahimovic’s contract on the 18th and set up the best 11 consisting of players aged 34 or older, noting that “not only Ibrahimovic but also many players are showing superhuman appearances at a long age.” Ibrahimovic was placed in the front-line striker position.
Cristiano Ronaldo (37) and Lionel Messi (35) were also named. The two players have competed for the best position in the world over the past decade. You can tell from the record of winning the Ballon d’Or given to the most outstanding player of the year. Messi has won seven times so far, holding the most records, followed by Ronaldo with five.
Joaquin (Real Betis) was the player who formed the second term with the two players. Joaquin, who is now 40, has recently extended his contract with Betis by one year, continuing his active career. 2018 Ballon d’Or winner Luca Modric (36, Real Madrid) and Fernandinho (37, Paranense), who returned to the Brazilian stage after playing for Manchester City, were selected in the midfield.
Marcelo (34, invincible), Tiago Silva (37, Chelsea), Herard Pique (35, Barcelona) and Dani Alves (39, invincible). Silva and Alves are still called by the Brazilian national team, and Pique is also the mainstay of Barcelona. Marcelo and Alves recently ended their contracts with Real and Barcelona. Manuel Neuer (36, Bayern Munich) defended the goal.
