Whether you believe in Santa Claus or not, the Swedish fighter has certainly proven that it is the gift that will keep San Siro going.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has announced that he is Santa Claus giving gifts to 27 children – both of him in Sweden, and his 25 teammates at AC Milan.
The veteran striker has helped steer the Rossoneri back toward the Serie A title challenge since returning for the club’s second spell in January.
The only unbeaten team in all five major European leagues in games played since the March 2019-20 shutdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Milan sits at the top with 34 points from 14 matches, just twice the tide they were at the same level last season.
Ibrahimovic has scored 10 goals in just six league games in 2020-21, but Milan have had a better win rate without him in the team (72.7 per cent) than with him (62.5 per cent) since the first game. his back at the club on January 6th.
Still, the 39-year-old’s impact on and off the pitch has helped turn Stefano Pioli’s side into real contenders at least for a four-point finish, the seven-time European champions were not. played in the Champions League from 2013-14 season.
The Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain star feels like a gift that will keep him giving at the club where he has always been happier.
34 – AC Milan have scored 34 points in 14 Serie A games so far, just twice the points the Rossoneri have won at this stage of the competition last term (17 in 14 games). Cyclists. #SerieATIM #MilanLazio pic.twitter.com/fRyx47btEa
– OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) 23 December 2020
“I never want anything for myself [at Christmas], “he said SportWeek . “I am Santa Claus. I am the one who gives gifts to my 27 children: two are in Sweden and Milanello has the other 25.
“This year, big congratulations for what we did and what we do. We’ve lost very few games. I don’t know if that’s thanks to me, but I did something, I took a. enter something. “
9 – AC Milan have won eight of the first 10 games played in Serie A 2020/21: over the previous 86 seasons in the tournament, the Rossoneri had earned more at this stage of the season. -only in 1954/55 (nine games). #SampdoriaMilan pic.twitter.com/y6J54Bz3DX
– OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) 6 December 2020
Ibrahimovic has won 11 league titles in four different countries during his illustrious career.
He has been recognized as the best footballer in Sweden 12 times, including this year, but his highest finish was in the Ballon d’Or stand in fourth place back in 2013.
However, Ibrahimovic argues that he would not trade his 12 Guldbollen for the French Football award as he believes his longevity is a great achievement.
“I would not exchange my 12 Guldbollen for a man from French Football because, for me, they mean continuity,” he said.
“I’ve seen many World Cup winners, European Champions, Champions League, even the Ballon d’Or, in an amazing, wonderful year, then further afield they have gone, but I’ve been in the game for 25 years. at the top. It’s a big difference. “