“They say I'm done, but I'm barely warming up”. The message that a few days ago Zlatan Ibrahimovic sent through their social networks was not just a slogan consistent with the character we have become accustomed to. The Swede has come to Milan like a whirlwind: in 20 games and 1500 minutes played, he has signed 11 goals and 5 assists, also becoming the only player in history capable of adding at least 50 goals with the rossoneri and with Inter. Pioli and all his teammates underlined how, just with their presence, the locker room and group environment have improved their competitiveness in each training session. The results confirm this clearly. After starting the course with a crisis that led to the dismissal of Marco Giampaolo in October, the team has only lost twice in the last 21 days, adding 13 wins and six draws. A growth that coincided with the incorporation of Ibra in the winter market and that totally changed the plans of the entity: goodbye to the arrival of Rangnick, renewal for Pioli and, now, the idea is to continue with Zlatan until possible.
The continuity of the tip has become a priority for the board, which until a few weeks ago seemed convinced to say goodbye. Paolo Maldini told 'Sky Sport': “What we have built this season must continue. Zlatan is part of this project, we want to continue with it, but it will not be an easy negotiation”. The club's will is clear, but does Ibrahimovic agree? At this point in your career, the certainty is that money won't make a difference in your next decision. He wants to have fun, continue to nurture his pride, demonstrating that he knows how to be decisive also at the age of 39 (his birthday will be in October). Milan offers him a European showcase, the Europa League, which is not the Champions League, but which would live as an untouchable starter. And an important contract, which is around 4.5 million net plus variables (goals, presences and 500,000 euros in case of qualification to the European Cup) to get to 6. The rossonero project depends on their presence, which would also influence the transfer market strategies. Therefore, the directive wants to close the matter as soon as possible and is very optimistic about the successful conclusion of the negotiation with Mino Raiola. Contacts with the Italian agent are constant (also for the renewal of Gigio Donnarumma) and already this week a meeting could take place in Monte Carlo with Maldini and the sports director Frederic Massara to define the operation definitively. Everything points to Ibra living another season of her second Italian youth, and perhaps also one more year if in the next academic year the results will continue to be those of this one. Knowing him, the idea of becoming the most decisive forty-something in the history of football would be too tempting …
