IBRAHIMOVIC BOOST FOR MILAN
Spanish football champions FC Barcelona, announced on Saturday the move whereby Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the Swedish football sensation, would be signed by Italian giants AC Milan.
It was revealed that the Swede would be loaned to Milan for the 2010-2011 seasons, with Milan having the option of buying the player for a sum of 24 Million Euros at the end of the season, way below the 46 Million Euros sum that
Barcelona paid Inter Milan for the player last year.
Ibrahimovic, who has played for clubs such as Ajax, Inter Milan and Juventus among others, had been having issues with Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola. "I can't afford to stay in the stands and watch the weather. Nobody at Barcelona
wanted to sell me, but the problems began in March. I sought an explanation, but he didn't answer me," he told the press regarding the matter.
Ibrahimovic and his agent, Mino Raiola had been blaming Guardiola for unfairly wanting to get rid of the star, amidst days of apprehensive negotiations. Guardiola, who had fallen out with the star in spring wanted to purchase David
Villa as a replacement. "I couldn't take it. I had no choice but to find a new place of work and I was lucky to go to a club like Milan. I am 28 years old and cannot afford to lose a year sitting on the bench and watching the weather," remarked the striker.
Nevertheless, the Swedish sensation is jubilant to be back in Italy, where he has played for Juventus and Inter Milan for five seasons from 2004-2009 and scored 80 goals. He is resolute to get his career back on track in Serie
A and optimistic about Milan’s future."I am very happy, because I am leaving for Milan. I leave with motivation and force to do things better in another country," commented the star. However, despite scoring 21 goals last year, Ibrahimovic never achieved his
full potential at Barclelona, under the influence of coach Guardiola.
Milan unveiled the star to the home crowd on Sunday, after a befitting 4-0 victory over the Italian Serie A club U.S. Lecce. Milan looked a rejuvenated club, the team playing with a renewed passion and enthusiasm, a feeling that
it had been lacking as of late.
This week has been a very encouraging one for the club with Ibrahimovic’s signing, Ronaldinho’s incredible form in the match against Lecce as well as Massimiliano Allegri’s world class managerial abilities, who has just recently
been appointed as the Milan’s coach.
Ibrahimovic’s arrival solves a crucial problem for Milan, which is that he is a player who will not only deliver goals but also make goals for the team. Paired with Ronaldinho, Milan’s attack could be a force that other clubs would
find hard to contain. And if that was not enough, Milan also signed the Brazilian star striker Robinho on transfer whose presence will undoubtedly further strengthen the club. Sunday’s game saw Milan cruising comfortably to victory against Lesse, with neither
Ibrahimovic nor Robinho playing. One can only imagine how much more the club would improve once the two stars start playing in the attack.
The optimism that Ibrahimovic’s move has brought in the team is certainly a step in the positive direction. Boasting one of the best forward lineups in the world at the moment, Milan may just become the top contenders not only
in Serie A but also in the Champions League, this season.
Tags: