ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC VOWED to play on for as long as possible after recovering from a serious knee injury, but told LA Galaxy to enjoy his presence while it lasts.
The 36-year-old striker was sidelined for much of 2017 after sustaining anterior cruciate ligament damage while playing in the Europa League for Manchester United. But the talismanic Swede has bounced back to at the Galaxy, where he has scored 12 goals in his last 11 MLS matches.
Ibrahimovic has no intentions of calling time on his career and when asked whether he might end his career Los Angeles said: “Let’s see because I feel alive now.
“I had this injury, but afterwards people forget because after three months I showed everybody that I’m still alive. Actually, I did it after two minutes when I came here.
“I feel good, I feel fresh and I’m happy here. I like my team-mates, I like the club, I like the people around it and I like the city.
“I want to help the club. I want to help the people around. I want to help my team-mates win and I’m here for the moment, so all of you should enjoy [it] while I’m here.
“I want to play football for as long as I can because after the injury the answer was that I couldn’t play again.
“I just love what I do and I want to do it as long as I can. Obviously the physical part, the condition and this, if it’s not answering then it’s time to say, ‘I did my job’ and stop.
“But I’m not there yet and I feel good.”
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I always thought he was one of the outstanding players at Connacht…was surprised to hear that his contract wasn’t being renewed. Good he’s found his form with Munster!
@Con Cussed: very popular with Connacht fans, but we understood with age (32 this month), and recent injury profile it means he was a cost Connacht couldn’t take a risk on. Anyway, with Aki, Forde, Hawkshaw, O’Connor as options, and young Hugh Gavin to come through (sooner rather than later by the way he’s performing every time he steps up a level). Plus, we’ve a bunch of back three lads who’ve played centre as well and can do a job (Jennings, Ralston, and Bolton)…
@Con Cussed: he is an excellent player, but his injury profile probably didn’t help his cause. Getting rid of Daly and Farrell probably freed the funds for POC, who is younger and has a better injury profile. Between Aki, Forde, Hugh Gavin and POC, center is strong for us, not to mention others who can deputise there too like Hawkshaw and Bolton. Farrell is a great signing for Munster – there was a lot of furore from their supporters when Frisch left and Farrell was mooted as a replacement, but in reality I think Farrell is an upgrade on Frisch, who I thought had a poor 2023/24 season (he was excellent in 2022/23). I’ll miss seeing Aki/Farrell in midfield, but glad Farrell got a second opportunity.
@Ronan Byrne: I should have refreshed the page before I commented! You hit the nail straight on the head.
@Con Cussed: of interest too is how in the 2016/17 season, both Connacht and Munster had injuries that needed short term cover – for Munster, NIE Saili was injured and so they signed NIE Taute, while Connacht had its own injury crisis, and being barred from signing NIQ players (as indicated by the Lam situation), signed Farrell on short term from the championship team Bedford Blues. In the end, both Taute and Farrell were exceptional signings and were given long term contracts, but now Munster are in a position to benefit from Connacht developing an IQ player, while the short term fix of Taute had no real long term benefit for Irish Rugby.
Great signing for Munster. Loads to offer on and off pitch.
People on here were quick to jump to the conclusion that Munster were poaching players from Connacht when he signed.
From what I have seen of him so far he looks quite good. I can see him and Nankivell striking up a good partnership. Munster badly needs a settled midfield after constant changing of personnel.
Could turn out to be another Paul Warwick
Fantastic signing. Seems to be getting a run without injury too which does help
He’s an absolutely quality rugby player. Serious skillset. Ireland chance has probably passed now but he’ll get plenty of big days with Munster. Has had some very unfortunately timed injuries in his career.