Zlatan Ibrahimovic ‘intends to keep playing’ Despite Being out for Eight Months

Despite an eight-month layoff due to knee surgery, AC Milan hopes Zlatan Ibrahimovic to forego retirement at the age of 40 and return to duty in 2023.

Ibrahimovic said that he has ‘never suffered so much while helping Milan win Serie A this season despite having an ACL in his knee and depending on medications and injections that limited his playing time in the second half of the season.

According to club technical director Paolo Maldini, the Sweden icon will have a major operation. Meanwhile,  has already spoken to Milan regarding his future.

‘I spoke to [Ibrahimovic] on Monday, and we agreed to talk about it again in around 15 days’.  Maldini said.

‘I don’t see why we can’t come to an agreement.’Naturally, he is dissatisfied with his little playing time. In the following two weeks, we’ll see what occurs’.

”Everything we do will be for his and Milan’s benefit’.

‘His objective, as far as I can tell, is to keep playing’.

Ibrahimovic’s second stay at Milan, which will conclude at the end of 2020, was largely regarded as an unexpected short-term solution.

Milan’s remarkable turnaround from midtable strugglers to Scudetto hopefuls was triggered by the acquisition of the former LA Galaxy and Manchester United striker, who was rewarded with a new contract by popular demand.

Ibrahimovic won his first Serie A title with Milan ten years ago, and he repeated the feat in his first full season back with the Rossoneri, scoring eight goals in 23 games as they beat Inter in a close title chase.

Maldini claimed that Milan are close to signing Divock Origi, the departing Liverpool attacker whose contract at Anfield expires on June 30′.

‘We are talking to Origi and the matter is at a very advanced point,’ the former Italy defender added.