Ibrahimovic says adieu to PSG
Zlatan Ibrahimovic on Friday announced his departure from Paris Saint-Germain after four years of posturing, preening and pyrotechnics. Saturday night will be Ibrahimovic's final appearance before the Parc des Princes faithful.
Issued on:
"Nobody does it better
Makes me feel sad for the rest
Nobody does it half as good as you
Baby, you're the best"
Lyrics written for the 1977 James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me could easily be applied to Zlatan.
With two games remaining, the 34-year-old Swede has scored 152 goals in 178 games. PSG play Nantes on Saturday night in what will be Ibrahimovic's final appearance before the Parc des Princes faithful.
Barring injury, his last outing for PSG will be in the final of the Coupe de France against Marseille at the Stade de France on 21 May.
If PSG win that, they will complete a domestic treble for the second consecutive season. Little wonder that Ibrahimovic proclaimed on social media: "I came like a king, left like a legend."
Where will he go next?
Speculation continues as to Ibrahimovic's next destination.
He has been linked with Manchester United in the English Premier League as well LA Galaxy in Major League Soccer in the United States. A return to a former stomping ground at AC Milan has also been mooted.
Amid the rumours, though, one certainty emerged. He will return to PSG.
"After discussions between Paris Saint-Germain and the agent of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the club and the player have mutually decided not to renew his contract," PSG said. "They have also agreed that once his playing career is over, Ibra will join the management of the club in a position of responsibility."
A stellar career
Since turning out as a 20-year-old for Ajax, Ibrahimovic has been a a prolific marksman. He has scored nearly 400 goals winning championships in the Netherlands, Italy and Spain.
He moved to PSG from AC Milan in 2012 and has won the Ligue 1 title in each of his four seasons in the French capital. There have also been three League Cups and one French Cup.
"I am very proud of the last four years. I have loved every day I have spent here," Ibrahimovic said. "PSG has become a star club internationally and I have played a major part in that transformation."
"It is a bit of a sad moment," said PSG coach Laurent Blanc. "A page is turning. We are never really prepared. We are witnessing the final moments of the greatest player to have played in Ligue 1 in recent years."
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