sport news Zlatan Ibrahimovic insists he is not ready to retire from football at the age ... trends now 'I haven't seen any player stronger than me yet': Zlatan Ibrahimovic insists he is not ready to retire from football at the age of FORTY despite undergoing surgery on his ACL as the legendary Swede vows to return 'soon' Zlatan Ibrahimovic helped AC Milan to first league title after more than 10 years The legendary Sweden striker underwent knee surgery at the end of the season It had been suggested that his career - at the grand age of 40 - might be over Ibrahimovic says he has not yet seen a player stronger than him emerge By Julian Bovill For Mailonline Published: 09:13 BST, 14 September 2022 | Updated: 09:16 BST, 14 September 2022 Viewcomments Zlatan Ibrahimovic has vowed to retire from professional football - but only when a player 'stronger' than him emerges. The Swedish striker turns 41 next month and it had been mooted that he would bring the curtain down on his 23-year professional career after undergoing knee surgery in May. However, Ibrahimovic has promised he will return to football 'soon' after signing a one-year extension with Milan in July. Zlatan Ibrahimovic has vowed to return to professional football after undergoing knee surgery last May Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Swede said: 'I will be back soon,' 'I'm not going to retire, I'm coming back and I won't give up.' Milan have started their title defence in strong fashion, winning four and drawing two of their opening six games. They currently sit on 14 points, joint with Napoli and Atalanta. However, Ibrahimovic himself did not seem too enamoured by the Rossoneri's forward options, vowing that he would eventually retire when he saw a player 'stronger' than himself emerge. The Swedish striker said that he is yet to see a player 'stronger' than him emerge - meaning he must return 'If I see a player stronger than me, I will be ready to retire. But I haven't seen any player stronger than me yet,' he said. 'AC Milan have signed a top player with Charles de Ketelaere - give him some time.' Currently, Milan's preferred centre-forward is former Arsenal and Chelsea player Olivier Giroud. The Frenchman has started the season in impressive fashion, notching three goals in his six appearances. However, new arrival Divock Origi, who was allowed to leave Liverpool on a free transfer this summer, has not hit the ground running with some already writing his Milan career off. Divock Origi has failed to impress for AC Milan since joining from Liverpool in the summer Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility