Milan take the field this Thursday to face Napoli in the Italian Supercoppa semifinal, but the match has already taken on symbolic weight before the ball even kicks off. Among Massimiliano Allegri’s squad list is a new name with a very familiar surname: 19-year-old Maximilian Ibrahimovic, son of Zlatan, called up to the first team for the first time. Let’s be honest, it’s a name that carries history, pressure, expectation and, above all, curiosity.
Maximilian’s presence in the squad doesn’t automatically make Milan favorites, nor does it change the tactical plan against Napoli. What it does is add a strong narrative layer to a tournament that has been searching for greater relevance ever since it began being held outside Italy. The Supercoppa, staged in Saudi Arabia since the 2022/23 season, has become an international showcase.
A heavy surname, a symbolic debut
Maximilian Ibrahimovic plays for Milan’s under-23 team and has been with the club since 2022, after starting his development at Hammarby in Sweden. At 19, he’s not yet a hyped prospect in European soccer, nor someone arriving with eye-catching numbers. What puts him at the center of attention is the context. He’s the son of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, one of the biggest names in the history of the sport and of Milan, now a club executive and senior advisor to the new ownership group since December 2023.
Still, there’s reason for caution before applying labels. Maximilian didn’t appear out of nowhere. He’s been in the club’s system for two years, came through the under-23 side and, in 2023, even trained with his father when Zlatan was still part of the senior squad. The path has been discreet, far from excessive spotlight, at least until now.
Being named for the Supercoppa doesn’t mean he’ll play, nor that Allegri sees him as a solution. It signals basic trust, observation and, clearly, a symbolic gesture. In high-stakes matches, experienced coaches don’t hand out favors for free. Allegri understands the weight of the moment, especially against a Napoli side that demands full focus from the first minute to the last.
Supercoppa, pressure and the game beyond the pitch
On the field, Milan face a direct rival, with the winner advancing to Monday’s final against whoever comes out on top between Inter Milan and Bologna. Off the field, the club is dealing with growing global exposure, driven by the international stage and by stories that connect past and future.
Zlatan’s presence behind the scenes is no small detail. As an executive, he influences decisions, messaging and identity. Having his son included in a match of this magnitude inevitably blends soccer with institutional storytelling. The risk is real. Comparisons will come, so will scrutiny. The rest will depend on time, work and, above all, on the player himself.