Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Senior Advisor at RedBird for AC Milan, was interviewed exclusively by UEFA Champions League Magazine before the Real Madrid-Milan match on November 5, which the Rossoneri won 3-1.
Here are his statements, as relayed via Milan News.
This is a special year for the club: the 125th anniversary. How are you experiencing it? What do you notice is different?
"You can see it in the club: everyone is excited. We will do great things for the 125th anniversary, and we have some surprises planned. Milan is part of football history. We are just a new generation in this history. And we go back in time, bring the past to the present, and mix it together. This is what Milan represents. We do it from the inside, and of course, everyone has their own opinion from the outside, but we must remind ourselves how it was before in order to move toward the future. And while I am here, I want to thank Berlusconi and Galliani because we are all here thanks to them."
And about the decision to return to Milan after playing? Why this club? Ibrahimovic replied:
"What made me make this decision? I believe in the project, I believe in what Milan represents, and I think I share the same vision as the people working here and the ownership because they want to do extraordinary things. They want to make history, win, and when we talk about winning, that's where I feel alive because I want to win, I’ll do anything to win, and I won’t stop until I win. Now, I work for the club from a different perspective. I can’t impact or contribute on the field, I’m working from the outside, and I have a lot to learn. I’m entering this new situation with humility, step by step, and I’m learning a lot. I feel connected to Milan in a special way even after my career, and I want to do great things with Milan."
Can you describe this bond better? What does this club represent for you emotionally? He replied:
"I’ve played for many clubs, extraordinary clubs, great teams, but the club that gave me the most in my career is Milan. I was here twice, and I appreciate a lot what Milan represents. The first time I was here, I felt happiness playing, and the second time, they gave me love, and I feel like I just want to give something back. I’m proud, happy, and very ambitious to help and give back. I’m not in a situation where I want to receive; on the contrary, I want to give something in return. Of course, I don’t feel frustrated, even though sometimes I would like to be on the field and help Milan directly, but now I play a different role, and I accept that I’ve retired, so I contribute from a different angle."
I also wanted to ask you this, because obviously, it’s a huge change going from everything you achieved on the field to not playing anymore. How are you experiencing this transition? Ibrahimovic answered:
"I say, since I accepted stopping playing, I’m fine. I’m at peace with that decision, so I don’t miss playing football. When I say sometimes I feel frustrated not being on the field, it’s more because of my experience and what I know how to do. But it’s not that I miss playing itself. Since I decided to stop, I’ve been at peace with it. I’m happy, I feel good, and I work hard in this new role. I have great colleagues and work with capable people who help me, so we’re a great team. We’re young, hungry, with big ambitions and a great vision, and no one is satisfied until we get what we want, which is to win. It’s truly extraordinary, so I follow them."
Now that you're no longer on the field, what’s your relationship with the players?
"We talk a lot with the players. I personally talk to them a lot, I have daily contact. It’s part of my role to be close to them, help them, advise them. There are different dynamics in various situations, and it’s part of my journey."
You’ve already mentioned this, but just to clarify: what is your ambition for this club and for yourself? What do you want to achieve in this role?
"The ambition is to make history. Making history means winning trophies, and Milan has historically won many trophies, so it’s something that continues. Obviously, we aim for that, but it’s a work in progress. Many things need to fall into place, and we need to trust the process, because we work in different ways and under different conditions. For example, we’re paying a lot of attention to young players now because we believe in them. We want to offer them a platform where they can grow and become high-level players in Serie A. Just this season, we created Milan Futuro, part of our academy. We created it this season because we strongly believe in it. We give great attention to young players to develop the future, and with Milan Futuro, we give them the opportunity to play professional football in Serie C, which is a big challenge. But the heart of our work is the first team; so, all resources and efforts are dedicated to it. We work hard and have great ambitions, as I said. The results have to come because if you don’t win, you don’t get something in return. This year, we’re missing some results, but there are many novelties in the club. Milan Futuro is a novelty, we’re changing the academy, we have a new coach, new players. There are many new things that need to integrate, and when they do, we’ll start flying."
And if we talk about what Milan represents, I believe it was once first a point of reference in Italy and then in Europe, but now football has become so global.
"Yes," said Ibrahimovic.
Is that one of the challenges you're looking forward to facing?
"Milan is already global. Looking at the history, Milan is global. It’s known all over the world; wherever we go, it’s known. And looking at the historical results, Milan is at the top. Now, Milan hasn’t suffered, but it has had less success in Europe, and one of our goals is to return to the top of European football, because Milan belongs to top European football. But there are no shortcuts to get there. If we look at Italian football, we can’t compare it to the Premier League. We need to work in different conditions, be smarter, and make different moves, and that’s what we’re doing. The goal is to remain who we are and reach the global stage, because Milan is global."
And finally: today we spoke with Christian Pulisic and Tijjani Reijnders. What do you think of both players? First of all, Christian is showing great form. Ibrahimovic said:
"I think Christian is our 'Captain America.' He’s doing extraordinary things, you can see he’s happy; being at Milan makes every player happy. This isn’t just my opinion; every player would tell you the same. They have an optimal environment to focus only on football and performance on the field. As for Pulisic, we revitalized him, and now you can see he’s really happy on the field, and that’s why he’s performing at a high level. Even off the field, he’s key for us. As for Reijnders, I think he’s the player who has grown the most in a short time. He came from the Netherlands, from the great work at AZ, and he’s doing an exceptional job. He’s become an important player for the team, the club, and his national team, proving to be a high-level profile. I’m very happy with both of them, and they’re crucial for us."
Reijnders is also the latest in a long tradition of great Dutch players who’ve played an important role for this club: Marco van Basten... Ibrahimovic commented:
"If we go back, there’s the historic trio with van Basten, Frank Rijkaard, and Ruud Gullit, who were icons and symbols of the club. Dutch players have a great record at the club, and Reijnders feels some pressure being Dutch and having to prove himself. But he’s doing a great job. We’re very happy with him, and he must continue like this. Like every Milan player, though, he will be remembered for what he wins. If you don’t win, you’re not remembered."
