Ibrahimovic: I will always be a Milanese, the Rossoneri gave me everything

AC Milan executive Zlatan Ibrahimovic was interviewed recently and talked about family, Milan and his last day as a football player.

What emotions did you feel on the day you said goodbye?

"It was a very special day because the day before they explained the process to me, but I said 'I don't want to know anything' and I wanted the emotions to come out naturally. It was not easy and before I decided to retire, I was scared because I have been playing football all my life, but I accepted the decision. I was lucky that the Milan fans initially greeted me with joy and later with love. I The last Scudetto we won was the most satisfying, and then my former team-mates also gave me strength, and I was hoping to get strength from them, but they started crying. Then I tried to find strength from my wife, and she was crying too, and then the fans were crying too, so all the emotions came out from the heart."

Will you always be a Milanese?

"Forever. Because of what Milan gave me, I will never forget it. They gave me happiness, and coming back for the second time is pure love. It is no longer about taking, but about giving. I play with players who are twenty years younger than me. I miss the adrenaline on the field, but once you accept retirement, you try to find other adrenaline, although the feeling will never be the same."

What would you say to those who say you have a tough personality?

"If you know me, you know that I have the biggest heart, it's just that people have a hard time getting into my heart."

What will you teach your children?

"They live a different life than others because their father is a celebrity. He was a strong player, if not the strongest (laughs). But I am trying to separate the Ibrahimovic on the field from the Ibrahimovic as a father. Life is easier and simpler for them because they can do more than me. What I teach them is discipline, respect and independence. If they can do these, it means that I am competent as a father."

What have you learned from life?

"To achieve your goals, you have to work hard. Nothing in life is free, if you work hard, everything will come naturally."