Former Inter striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic was interviewed in today’s paper edition of the Milano based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, discussing his future and experiences at Inter.
“My contract expires in December, but I don’t think about it: I will evaluate calmly with my family. Retirement? Let’s see. To continue, as I say, I have to find something special that can keep the fire inside alive. I don’t want to retire at Malmö. Italy? You know, it’s my second home.”
The 38-year-old discussed a possible return to Serie A.
“So many unforgettable moments, I’ll listen to everything. Having said that, regardless of the team, I want to fight for the best: if I come back, I’d like to aim for the Scudetto, I’m not looking for those who trust in me just because my name is Ibrahimovic. I’m not a zoo animal that people go to see, I can still make a difference.”
Ibrahimovic then touched on his former coach, Jose Mourinho.
“He was and will always be the Special One. I still feel him, he has had an incredible impact on my career. Now I can’t wait to see him on the bench: the next adventure he will be a winner, I’m sure.”
He also spoke of the current Inter coach, Antonio Conte.
“I don’t know him personally, but everyone says he gives 500% every day. We’re the same in this, so we’d have had a good time together: we both believe in work, the only way to achieve success. With him Inter have made a super strike.”
The Swedish striker then discussed Mauro Icardi and his replacement, Romelu Lukaku.
“The numbers speak for Mauro, but I have a weakness for those who sacrifice themselves for their team-mates. On Romelu, I say this: don’t expect great things from a technical point of view, his best weapon is strength. Of course, if he had listened to me.”
He elaborated on his advice to Lukaku.
“At United we made a bet, ‘I’ll give you £50 for every right pass.’ He said: ‘And if I get them all right, what will you give me?’. Nothing, I’ll just make you a better player! For the record, he never accepted. Maybe he was afraid to lose [laughs]. Joking aside, Lukaku is like that: he has a crazy desire to split the world. He’ll do well for Inter too.”
Ibrahimovic also touched on whether he would stay at Inter for the treble winning season, if he could go back in time.
“Everyone wants to win the Champions League, I’d be a fool if I thought the opposite was true: I missed it and it would have been an extra prestigious prize to add to my cabinet, but at that moment I needed more. And I thought that Barça was the best choice: the mistake was to distort my nature to try to become like them. Believe me, I have no regrets in my career, just that.”
Finally, the 38-year-old forward spoke about his relationship with former Inter president Massimo Moratti.
“Impossible for anyone to speak ill of the President. I love him so much; he has a huge heart. For him the person is everything, the player comes later.”
