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Sweden captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Milan legend says Zlatan Ibrahimovic may 'even be superior to Messi'

The Milan legend has mixed feelings over the potential return of Ibrahimovic to the San Siro.

FORMER AC MILAN manager Arrigo Sacchi claims reported Milan target Zlatan Ibrahimovic is arguably a better player than Lionel Messi, but also warns of the need to integrate the striker into Sinisa Mihajlovic’s side.

The Sweden international has just one year left on his contract at Paris Saint-German and has been heavily linked with a return to San Siro, where he featured between 2010 and 2012.

Sacchi backed Ibrahimovic to invigorate a Milan side that finished 10th in Serie A last term but expressed concern at his ability to work in a team.

“I am too friendly with [president Silvio] Berlusconi and [CEO Adrian] Galliani to say what I think of Milan in the transfer market,” he told Rai Radio 2.

“Ibrahimovic is one of the greats. If football were an individual sport, I think he would even be superior to Messi. This is a great strength, but also a limitation if he cannot work in synergy with the others.”

Following Filippo Inzaghi’s exit, Milan have moved to secure the futures of Ignazio Abate and Nigel de Jong but have yet to freshen up their squad with big-name arrivals.

“We always talk about football as if it were a sport for individuals, but unfortunately for us it is not and therefore we must understand that what counts is the engine,” he added.

“The engine is the style of football that does not come from the abilities of the individual, but from the game plan and hard work.”

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    Mute Barry Hennessy
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    Jun 29th 2015, 3:13 PM

    sounds like something zlatan would say himself

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    Mute oriainarama
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    Jun 29th 2015, 3:34 PM

    I read the headline and fully expected to click into the story and find out the Milan legend in question was Zlatan himself.

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    Mute Dan Smith
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    Jun 29th 2015, 3:27 PM

    Former AC Milan manager claims ex-AC Milan player linked with AC Milan is more ‘superior’ than Messi. Shock and horror has befallen me…

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    Mute Ron Koeman
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    Jun 29th 2015, 4:06 PM

    There is no point on comparing Zlatan to anyone, he’s amazing but no one is better than Messi.

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    Mute Mel Fitzpatrick
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    Jun 29th 2015, 3:55 PM

    What an embarrassing thing to say! Hahaha

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    Mute Paul Dunne
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    Jun 29th 2015, 3:47 PM

    ah God help him oul fool.

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    Mute Sean Breen
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    Jun 29th 2015, 4:29 PM

    Greats boost to ibrahimovic’s confidence

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    Mute Paul O Mahony
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    Jun 29th 2015, 9:14 PM

    Like he needs it.

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    Mute Piotrek Król
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    Jun 29th 2015, 4:34 PM

    He said “If football were an individual sport”. He has a point.

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    Mute baz6375
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    Jun 29th 2015, 5:29 PM

    part of messi,s greatness is that he’s a team player and he can adapt to all situations,what a load of crap from that man.

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    Mute John Cronin
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    Jun 29th 2015, 4:42 PM

    Oh ri

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