Ibrahimovic is set to return to football after a nine-month hiatus following anterior cruciate ligament surgery. After helping Milan win the Scudetto in 2021-22, he went under the knife to fix his knee and it was initially feared he could be forced into retirement. However, the 41-year-old has vowed he will return to the pitch and he is set to deliver on his promise after returning to full training with the Milan squad this week. Ibrahimovic is as confident as ever in his abilities and determined to help Milan bounce back from their disappointing start to the season as Italian champions.

“I am still God”

The Swede told Sport Mediaset: “I’m still God, I’m still number one. Now let’s change the music when I come back. I really want to do a lot of things, after what I’ve lost in the last few months. I wasted time. “I’m fine, I’m fine! I rejoined the group and I feel free, free on and off the field. It means I’m fine. In this period, I did everything to help the coach, the staff and the club from the outside. I was patient because I had to get back to the top, the recovery is going as planned. Asked about Milan’s poor pass, Ibrahimovic added: “I’m not worried, these are normal moments in a league. Now we have to speak little and demonstrate our value on the pitch. »

Ibrahimovic also spoke about his Milan teammate Rafael Leao, whose future at the club has been the subject of much speculation as he nears the final year of his contract. The veteran striker has urged Leao to shrug off outside noise and focus on his day-to-day duties at San Siro as talks of a possible summer transfer continue to rage. He had a fantastic year, he won the award for the best player in the championship. Then the contract, the other clubs looking for you, the World Cup and everything else,” Ibrahimovic said. “But he has to stay focused and play football. Everything else is solved, he just has to think about playing. He has become stronger than a year ago, only this year everyone knows who Leao is, last year on the contrary they were less focused on him. But now they know he’s the strongest of them all and they pay more attention to him. »