Former Manchester United player Zlatan Ibrahimovic has revealed the true extent of the pain he endured this season.
Ibrahimovic left United in 2018 after scoring 29 goals in 53 appearances for the club. The forward's performances earned him cult hero status at Old Trafford and his time in Manchester was followed by an equally prolific spell in America with LA Galaxy.
The Swede joined AC Milan in 2020 after his season with LA Galaxy and he helped the Italian giants end their 11-year wait for a Serie A title this term. The 40-year-old scored eight goals for AC Milan across a total of 27 appearances this season.
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However, it's now thought Ibrahimovic will be sidelined for eight months after undergoing an operation on his knee. Ibrahimovic sent an honest message to supporters after winning the Scudetto and he revealed the true extent of his pain this season.
"For the past six months I played without an ACL in my left knee," Ibrahimovic wrote on social media.
"Swollen knee for six months. I was only able to train with the team 10 times in the last six months. Took more than 20 injections in six months. Emptied the knee once a week for six months. Painkillers every day for six months.
"Barely slept for six months because of the pain. Never suffered so much on and off the pitch. I made something impossible to something possible. In my mind I had only one objective, to make my teammates and coach champions of Italy because I made them a promise. Today I have a new ACL and another trophy."
Ibrahimovic is out of contract at AC Milan this summer.
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