Zlatan Ibrahimovic, speaking from the United States, shared his thoughts on the future ambitions of AC Milan in an interview with The Athletic. He emphasized his ongoing commitment to the team while making it clear that he expects his players to take responsibility. “Yes, but I’m not a babysitter. My players are adults and must take responsibility. They need to give 200% even when I’m not there,” he stated.
On His Role
Ibrahimovic explained his involvement with the club: “I have a say in many areas to bring results and increase value, all with the ambition of winning.”
On Coaching
When asked about the possibility of becoming a coach, he was dismissive: “Coach? No, do you see my gray hair? Imagine after a week as a coach. The life of a coach lasts up to 12 hours a day. You have absolutely no free time. My role is to connect everything; to be a leader from above and ensure that the structure and organization work. To keep everyone on their toes.”
Past Experience in MLS
Reflecting on his move to Los Angeles, Ibrahimovic said, “I moved to Los Angeles to see if I was still alive, and I was. And that became a problem. I needed to return to the place where I belonged.”
Return to Milan
Discussing his return to Milan, he remarked, “When I came back the second time, it was more about giving than taking. I wanted to pave the way for a new generation. You are the example, saying: ‘Listen, this is how it works.’ When you are in Milan, it is the elite of the elite: pressures, demands, obligations. You have to take responsibility, become a man, because a player is not just about the field, but also the person off it. I was the reference point. I had no ego about it. I was like a kind of… guardian angel.”
Impact on Young Players
Ibrahimovic highlighted his focus on preparing the future for young players: “I didn’t need to score one more goal or one less. It wouldn’t have changed my career. It was more about preparing the future for others because I believe this young generation needs a leader to follow. If you don’t have examples, especially when you play in big clubs, who will show you the way? I did it in a way that wasn’t about me, but about the team. All these young guys who had never played in the Champions League and had never won. When you get older, you have to find the trigger points. It’s not about contracts after 20 years. My starting point was to show the way for the young team.”
On Weaknesses
When asked about weaknesses, he confidently replied, “Weaknesses? No, because if I am objective, I go all the way, and then either you succeed or you fail. Is it a 50-50 probability? No, in my case, it’s 99-1. I do everything to succeed. It’s all mental. I know how good I am. Actually, even higher: 99.9%.”
On Transfers
Ibrahimovic discussed his frequent club changes: “Did I change clubs to avoid getting tired of familiarity, a bit like tattoos? No. Changing clubs is about testing yourself. I take my backpack and come into your garden. Different culture, different language, far from home. In your garden, your mother cooks for you, cleans your clothes, you have everything you want. You grew up and were born there. So you are in a comfort zone. I step out of my comfort zone and test myself.”
On Fabio Capello
He reflected on the influence of Fabio Capello: “Who provided me leadership? At Juventus, I had Fabio Capello. He destroyed me, but at the same time, he built me. How? Easy. Today you were crap. Tomorrow you will be the best. So, when you think you are the best, he destroys you. Then it becomes confusion and you don’t know: ‘Am I really the best or am I crap?’ So, when you were down, he was rebuilding you.”
On Jose Mourinho
Ibrahimovic also spoke about his time with Jose Mourinho: “When I arrived in England, I was 35 years old. People said I was too old, that I should retire, blah blah blah. But this triggers me. Mourinho? Jose was a machine. He brings out the best in you. He is that person: manipulative. He knows how to get into your head. He knows how to treat you, regardless of your level. He reminded me of Capello. But a more recent version. Discipline. Hard. Intense. Not the soft types. That’s what I like. Remember where I come from? My family is tough.”
On His Son Maximilian
Finally, he discussed his son Maximilian’s challenges: “It’s not easy for him because, obviously, his father is who he is. So he carries a heavy surname. Wherever he goes, he will always be compared. But at Milan, in my role, I don’t see him differently from others. I don’t judge him as if he were my son. I judge him as a player, as I judge everyone else. He has to learn, he has to work, and he has to earn. Then whatever happens, happens. He is mentally strong. People think football is easy and that everyone makes it. But it’s not like that.”
