In his interview with GQ Italia, the RedBird and AC Milan consultant, Zlatan Ibrahimovic spoke about his role at Milan among other topics (read all of his statements HERE)
"When we won the Super Cup in Riyadh, when we were on the pitch celebrating, the first thing I said to my team was: When we get back, let's bring the trophy to Casa Milan. Let's take a photo with everyone. Because everyone has the right to see this trophy, not just the players . And when I say everyone, I mean everyone. Not just the masseurs or physiotherapists, but all of Milan, all of the commercial department, absolutely everyone. This is the most important thing. That's why our motto is Winning Together. That's how it is. You know what? In the end, my role doesn't matter. What matters is Milan. We want Milan to be successful. Everything we do here, we do for Milan. There is no ego, at least for me. I said, it's not a one-man show. I prefer to stay in the shadows, I don't even want to take any credit. Believe me, I told the boys: I don't even want to be in the photos or videos. Then I understood that they have to exploit certain dynamics, and I respect that. But trust me: if it were up to me, you wouldn't see me. I would just work. Work, work, work. Milan is the star. Not me. I'm here today, I'm here tomorrow, okay. But the day after tomorrow? Maybe I'm no longer here. Milan, on the other hand, continues to exist. And I do it for Milan, not for myself. Milan gave me happiness the first time. And it gave me happiness the second time too. But I don't do it for personal interest. I don't need this. I'm famous, I don't need money, and I don't even need followers. I do it for Milan, and because I want to learn new things."
Ibrahimovic added:
"When I played, everything revolved around me. Today I'm the bodyguard: if they have to shoot someone, let them shoot me. I want to protect the team and the club. I'm not afraid, because I shoot back twice. So I can be the target. I spent ten years of war. And if you live a war in the Balkans, it's not that they call you to tell you how it's going. You're the one waiting for the call, to know what's happening. To know if your family is okay. Every day someone calls you crying, and you don't know if they'll still be alive tomorrow. And you can't do anything. If someone has spent ten years like this, they're not afraid of anyone. Because that's something else. That's the real fear. And when the media talk about me? It doesn't affect me. For 25 years as a footballer they attacked me every day. Why? Because I was the best. Whether they speak well or badly, if they talk about you it means you are on top of the world. And here it's the same: everyone always talks about Milan. Why? Because we are the greatest."
