Zlatan Ibrahimovic will 'probably' retire in 2016


Enjoy the next two years of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, people. They'll likely be his last as a footballer.

Speaking with ESPN FC, Ibrahimovic, 32, was asked whether or not he'll finish his career at Paris Saint-Germain, and his answer indicated that he plans on hanging up his cleats in two years time.

"I have a contract until 2016," Ibrahimovic said. "I will be 34 next season and I don't see myself continuing to play at the top level after that. So probably the answer is yes."

Assuming the colorful striker follows through on his plan, he'll have two more chances to win the one major club trophy that's eluded him throughout his 15-year career: the Champions League. He left Inter Milan the year before they won the 2009-10 edition of the tournament and exited Barcelona the year before they lifted the trophy in 2011.

However, in typical Ibrahimovic fashion, he doesn't let it get to him when people keep saying he hasn't won Europe's most prestigious competition in club football.

"No," he said. "When someone is on top, people always want to find something to criticize him. The real Ronaldo didn't win the Champions League either. What do people say about him? It's the same thing [with] me. You win because you win, but it doesn't change the player you are. If Maradona hadn't won the World Cup, would people not say he was still the best? They would."

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