Zlatan Ibrahimovic returns to help ailing AC Milan

Same killer looks, same imposing build and same oversized ego; the Lion returns to his den.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has returned to AC Milan after 7 long years. According to the Daily Mail, the Swedish striker has signed for the Rossoneri for six months with provisions for a year-long extension dependent on his personal performances.

There were rife speculations about Zlatan’s next club after the ex PSG player announced in November that his time in MLS has come to an end. Since then clubs like Manchester United, Everton, Napoli and AC Milan have been linked to the 6 feet 5 inch striker. Ibrahimovic teased the press and fans on social media with several cryptic posts about his next club. But the wait is finally over as Zlatan returns in the Red and Black jersey.

Ibra has returned San Siro to accomplish two things: For a final challenge seeking to prove that he remains the superstar he claims to be and to help Milan revive their season. The Swede left a cosy gig in MLS where in two years he managed to score 52 goals and provide 17 assists in 56 appearances. MLS proved to be of no competition from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and after two stellar campaigns with LA Galaxy, Zlatan finally drew curtains on his Hollywood dream.

When the player is in the culminating stages of his career and he realizes that he just can’t cut it in Europe anymore, he flies to a lesser demanding league to continue earning hefty wages. There’s a peculiar trend where players from Europe spend the last few years of their career in MLS before hanging up their boots.

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When Ibrahimovic moved to LA Galaxy in 2018, people thought he is no longer fit to play in Europe and the former Barcelona striker chose to spend the last stage of his career in Los Angeles.

To everyone’s shock, he decided to return to back to Europe. Why? To prove he isn’t like other humans. To prove that the Lion is still the king of the jungle! Zlatan Ibrahimovic has vowed to help Milan rescue their season after a dreadful campaign so far.

The 38-year-old loves the city and the club and is keen to help the Rossoneri. During his two years with Milan between 2010-12, Ibrahimovic has scored 56 goals and provided 24 assists across 85 appearances. He won the 2011/12 Serie A’s golden boot netting an impressive 28 goals in 32 games. The ex Inter Milan player helped AC Milan lift the Scudetto in 2010/11 season.

Milan hope that showy Swede, never far from the headlines, will bring some punch and a winning mentality to the locker room. The San Siro club are taking water as they sit 11th in the league with just 21 points. What’s more important to point out is their pathetic goalscoring record. Despite housing a strike force comprising of Krzysztof Piatek, Suso, Ante Rebic and others Milan have managed to score just 16 goals in 17 Serie A games this term.

The Rossoneri’s dire form and the deprived state of the club should do with someone like Ibra to help inspire the club out of their present rut and bring Milan to where they belong. Ibrahimovic’s arrival could help the Italian club achieve at least a long-coveted European spot.

At an age when most players are on the decline, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is trying to stretch an already rich career. Thierry Henry and David Beckham returned to Europe at the end of their careers, after an exile across the Atlantic, but without regaining their lustre. Succeeding where these stars have failed is a challenge the size of the Zlatan.

Do you think Zlatan can help Milan steady their ship and take them to a European spot?