Former Manchester United man and legendary forward Zlatan Ibrahimović has confirmed his retirement from football and after receiving an earful from the Hellas Verona fans at the weekend, he fired back in typically memorable fashion.
Hanging up his boots at the age of 41, the iconic Swedish striker and footballing veteran calls time on a remarkable 24-year career, with 34 trophies, 561 goals and 229 assists to his name for club and country. Yeah, not a bad little player.
Nevertheless, having played for three of Italy’s biggest clubs in Juventus, Inter and AC Milan, returning to last year’s Serie A champions for a second spell back in 2020, Zlatan scored plenty against most teams in the league — the once-again relegated Verona included.
On top of that, Ibra has always been a divisive and antagonistic figure, so regardless of how momentous and emotional an occasion it was, the Verona fans proceeded to boo as Zlatan announced his retirement and delivered his final speech as a pro footballer.
Zlatan to the Verona fans:
“Keep booing. This is the biggest moment in your year seeing me”.
Ibrahimović had the perfect response as Verona fans booed his final words as a professional footballer.
As you can see, the former United, Milan, Barca, PSG; Malmo, Ajax and LA Galaxy striker wasn’t rattled by the jeering whatsoever, firing back by saying: “Keep booing, this is the biggest moment of your year seeing me”.
ADVERTISEMENT
Always humble, isn’t he?
After all, this is the same bloke that referred to himself “a lion” for most of his career, left LA by saying “I came, I saw, I conquered“, snubbed Arsenal because he said he “doesn’t do auditions”; said he didn’t get his wife a birthday present “because she already has Zlatan” and announced his arrival in 0161 with a massive poster reading, “Manchester, welcome to Zlatan“.
ADVERTISEMENT
His ego might have been unparalleled but at least he had the stats and silverware to back it up. These two clips alone sum up the kind of legacy he’s left behind.
taking y’all to weeks back when milan won the serie a, and we all got that ibrahimovic speech. pic.twitter.com/y1cgzPVaJk
Breaking into tears as he bid farewell to the club where he spent a total of five years across two spells, Zlatan when on to add: “I say goodbye to football but not to you.
“There are too many emotions for me right now… The first time I came here you gave me happiness, the second time you gave me love.
ADVERTISEMENT
“You welcomed me with open arms, you made me feel at home, I will be a Milanista for the rest of my life… From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank the fans… Forza Milan and goodbye.”
Zlatan was one of the last players still playing at the top level who became famous during my childhood. I’m 34 and I can firmly remember the hype over him around 2002 at Ajax when I was 13. The passage of time is a scary thing. https://t.co/FwdpMQEd6R
Manchester Storm’s record-breaking return to AO Arena goes down a storm with fans
Daisy Jackson
Manchester Storm have made their grand return to the AO Arena, after more than two decades away from their former home.
And it appears the ice hockey craze (which may have been spurred on by a certain Heated Rivalry) is here to stay, with record-breaking numbers piling into the venue for Sunday’s match against Sheffield Steelers.
The AO Arena has now shared that a record crowd of 11,000 fans attended the long-awaited Manchester Storm homecoming last week.
The action has gone down a storm with fans, with plenty of chatter on social media (and videos of a certain fight) doing the rounds.
Manchester Storm’s homecoming has now smashed the record for an Elite Hockey pre-season fixture, with fans travelling from across Manchester and beyond.
As the team enters this new era, bidding farewell to the ‘Storm Shelter’ in Altrincham that’s been their home for a decade, demand for tickets is continuing to grow.
This is the first time fans have been able to see the club on the ice at the AO Arena since 2004, and last weekend they thrilled supporters with a 5-5 draw agains the Steelers.
Manchester Storm is now set to bring approximately 35 games to the city centre each year, providing a regular programme of major sporting events for Manchester and its visitors.
It also brings elite-level hockey back to one of Europe’s largest indoor sporting arenas.
Gemma Vaughan, General Manager at the AO Arena says, “Tonight is a hugely significant moment for Manchester.
“To welcome Manchester Storm back to their former home after more than 20 years, and to do so in front of a record Elite Hockey League crowd, is incredibly special.
“The response from supporters has demonstrated the strength of Manchester’s passion for ice hockey and the demand for world-class sport in the city. We’re proud to be able to provide a home for the Storm as they begin this exciting new chapter.”
Erling Haaland has named his four favourite films… and fans have a lot to say on it
Emily Sergeant
Erling Haaland has answered the all-important question.
The question heard around the world, the question on everyone’s lips, a question that has absolutely nothing to do with football whatsoever… that’s right, he’s answered Letterboxd’s famous question of ‘what are your four favourite films?’.
If you’re unaware of what Letterboxd is, it describes itself as being an ‘online diary platform and app for film lovers’ and it gives users the chance to display their four favourite films at the top of their profile for all to see (and judge).
An extension of this has then been Letterboxd asking celebrities in press junket interviews and on red carpets what their ‘four faves’ are – and it’s gone on to become something of a phenomenon in the film world.
Everyone from massive A-list movie stars, to indie darlings and up-and-coming names have answered this question before, and now (it appears) to be Erling Haaland’s turn.
He’s not the first footballer to be tasked with question though, as the entire Spurs team was ambushed with it by former player – and famously massive cinephile – Alfie Whiteman last year, but it’s fair to say that after the summer he’s had with Norway at the World Cup, achieving international fame in the process, that Haaland is one of the most high-profile to answer it in a long while.
So, what’s on Erling’s list then?
Well, to self-confessed ‘film bros’ out there, you’re not going to find any deep cuts in this selection unfortunately, and you’re probably not going to get any recommendations for movies you haven’t seen before either, but come on, he is only a footballer after all.
Erling Haaland has named his four favourite films… and fans have a lot to say on it / Credit: Letterboxd
First up for the Manchester City striker is a pretty common pick by straight white men, it’s The Wolf of Wall Street, and he doesn’t give much of a reason for it, other than just suggesting: “I think you understand why”.
He then follows that up with Ridley Scott’s classic Gladiator, calling it ‘amazing’, before naming 2004’s epic Troy, and then rounding it out with a Christmas favourite for many, Home Alone, adding that he ‘watched it a lot as a kid, and then again now’.
As for fan reaction to Haaland’s four favourites, let’s just say it’s been mixed.
Among the 1,000+ comments on the Instagram video, you’ll find just as many people called him ‘king’ and saying he has ‘goated’ taste, as you will comments like this: “He has the most male gazed top four in history of Letterboxd.”
Danny Jones -
5th June 2023 
