Ibra announces retirement date

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has revealed his intention to retire from professional football when his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires in 2016.

The 32-year-old forward arrived at Parc des Princes from AC Milan in 2012 and has starred in successive Ligue 1 title triumphs for les Parisiens, although Champions League success continues to elude him.

Having dismissed suggestions earlier this month that he wants to return to Juventus before he retires, the Sweden international has now claimed that he will finish his career at the Parc des Princes.

"I have a contract until 2016," Ibrahimovic told ESPN. "I will be 34 next season and I don't see myself continuing to play at the top level after that.

"So yes, I will probably retire at PSG."

Ibrahimovic's match-winning performances in the French capital have led some to claim les Parisiens would be nowhere near as strong without him, but he insists that PSG are no one-man team.

"I don't feel like I am PSG at all," he added. "I would be nothing without the team and my team-mates.

"I am playing with very good players, players who respect me. I respect them. Respect is a very important notion for me.

"You can't do well if there is no respect. We work hard every day to reach the same goals and objectives. Everything comes with hard work.

"I am one of the leaders, but there are a few. We have a good group here. We have a great atmosphere in the dressing room. We never had any problems.

"It is a funny dressing room. Everybody likes to have a laugh and take the p*ss out of each other, so it's good. I like it."


/Goal.Com/