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Zlatan Ibrahimovic unperturbed by lack of Champions League success as his AC Milan side gear up to face Arsenal
The Sweden international has never gotten his hands on the biggest prize in European club football but he remains proud of what he has achieved in the game up to this point
13 Feb 2012 17:57:00
By Mark Doyle
Getty Images
Zlatan Ibrahimovic insists that he is no longer preoccupied with winning the Champions League and insists that his career will not be considered incomplete if he fails to lift the trophy.
The AC Milan striker has been on a league-winning side for each of the past seven seasons, although the two Serie A titles he won with former club Juventus were rescinded because of Calciopoli.
However, while Ibrahimovic has seen no shortage of silverware, there are those that feel the fact that he has yet to claim the biggest prize in club football undermines his status as one of the best forwards to play in Europe over the past decade.
The Sweden international no longer sees it that way, though.
"It's true that many years ago I considered winning the Champions League my primary objective; it had become something of a giant to conquer," Ibrahimovic told the Uefa magazine ahead of Milan's last-16 clash with Arsenal.
"Now I do not regard it in much the same way. Even if I were to retire tomorrow I would be happy with my career.
"I have done everything I could and it would not be something that detracted from what I have done."
Ibrahimovic also admitted that he has many people to thank for the medals that he has collected over the past few years.
"I will always win trophies with the team; there is no individuality," he argued. "You do not win because you are number one, but because you play in the number one team.
"I was able to become a complete player, but I worked every day with even greater professionalism to improve.
"I know what I can do and I still want to make sacrifices [in order to get better]."
Ibrahimovic will be in action when Milan host Arsenal in the first leg of their last-16 clash at San Siro on Wednesday.
The AC Milan striker has been on a league-winning side for each of the past seven seasons, although the two Serie A titles he won with former club Juventus were rescinded because of Calciopoli.
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However, while Ibrahimovic has seen no shortage of silverware, there are those that feel the fact that he has yet to claim the biggest prize in club football undermines his status as one of the best forwards to play in Europe over the past decade.
The Sweden international no longer sees it that way, though.
"It's true that many years ago I considered winning the Champions League my primary objective; it had become something of a giant to conquer," Ibrahimovic told the Uefa magazine ahead of Milan's last-16 clash with Arsenal.
"Now I do not regard it in much the same way. Even if I were to retire tomorrow I would be happy with my career.
"I have done everything I could and it would not be something that detracted from what I have done."
Ibrahimovic also admitted that he has many people to thank for the medals that he has collected over the past few years.
"I will always win trophies with the team; there is no individuality," he argued. "You do not win because you are number one, but because you play in the number one team.
"I was able to become a complete player, but I worked every day with even greater professionalism to improve.
"I know what I can do and I still want to make sacrifices [in order to get better]."
Ibrahimovic will be in action when Milan host Arsenal in the first leg of their last-16 clash at San Siro on Wednesday.
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
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| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
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| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
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| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
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