Zlatan Ibrahimovic claims he had more offers at the age of 38 than 28 – despite being told it would be “impossible” to come back after a serious injury at Manchester United.
Ibrahimovic has rejoined AC Milan, the club he left eight years ago, on a six-month deal with an option to extend his stay by a further year.
He has been a free agent since leaving Los Angeles Galaxy in November, telling fans to “go back to watching baseball”.
“At 38, I had more requests than at 28,” he said. “I was looking for the adrenaline inside of me, to ensure I get the best out of myself.”
Ibrahimovic insists he will not stay at Milan beyond the end of the season “just to be here” if he can no longer cut it in Serie A.
His last spell in European football was at Manchester United, where he scored 28 goals in his first season before a serious knee injury disrupted his second and he left for Galaxy in March 2018.
“Many told me it would be impossible to come back [from the injury],” he said. “I worked hard and to the point I can still play now.
“[It’s] impossible to play like I did 10 years ago, but I know what I need to do: instead of running, I shoot from 40 metres!”
