ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC has admitted he’s starting to have a ‘little panic’ over the thought of retirement.
The 40-year-old icon is currently with the Swedish national team, determined to reach this winter’s World Cup in Qatar.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is still going strong aged 40 – but is starting to ‘panic’ at the thought of retiring Credit: AFP On a domestic level, meanwhile, he is part of an AC Milan side duking it out with Napoli, Inter and Juventus for the Serie A title.
While he continues to defy his age to perform at the highest level, Ibra has revealed that retirement has started to cross his mind.
Currently on international duty, the 120-cap star said: “I feel a bit of panic at the prospect of stopping playing.
“For sure, I will continue as long as possible, as long as I can get results but being good on the pitch, without suffering.
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Osumane Dembele u-turn, Rio Ferdinand’s HARSH verdict, De Ligt on Ronaldo “I don’t want to have regrets when I quit, so I want to maximise my career.
“What will happen next I don’t know, as I write in my book I’m a little scared. A role in football? We’ll see when the day comes.
“I could start when I stop or take a break, or disappear completely. Of course the adrenaline I feel in me I will never feel again.
“We are programmed to wake up, prepare for training, train, go home and rest.
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“This has been going on for 20-25 years but one day when I wake up there will be nothing left in front of me, it will be a positive impact.”
Further quizzed about whether he will be sad to quit the game, the former Manchester United ace responded in a typically Zlatan fashion.
He said: “I think it will be a bigger sadness for you that you won’t see me play anymore. You should have fun now because you’ll never see anything like this again…”
Ibrahimovic has made 18 Serie A appearances this season, having battled knee and Achilles injuries.
In 11 starts he has managed eight goals, helping to Milan to top spot where they currently sit three points above second-placed Napoli.
He is currently preparing to face the Czech Republic in their World Cup play-off semi-final on Thursday – with United starlet Anthony Elanga in line to earn his first senior international cap.
Anthony Elanga is in line to make his senior international debut Credit: PA Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
