Zlatan retirement ‘like stealing the Mona Lisa’

Matt Stead

If Zlatan Ibrahimovic retires it would be “like somebody stealing the Mona Lisa,” according to his agent.

Ibrahimovic’s future in football remains uncertain, with the striker’s contract at Paris Saint-Germain expiring in the summer.

The 34-year-old has been linked to a long list of clubs; is a move to Manchester United too weird to be true?

Ibrahimovic himself has even suggested retirement could be an option, but his understated agent Mino Raiola thinks otherwise.

“If he retires, it would be like somebody stealing the Mona Lisa – it would be a crime against sporting humanity,” Raiola, told Radio Monte-Carlo. “If he retires, I’m going to lock him up in a cell until he changes his mind.

“We want to take the right decision, but we’re not in any rush. We’ll take all the time we need. Many people want Zlatan and it would be odd for him not to have any offers. Zlatan’s only priority is ending the season well, reaching the Champions League final and possibly winning it. Then he’ll have a great European Championship with Sweden.

“He’s no ordinary player – he’s still one of the best. He’s always said he’d like to play on for another five years. Zlatan’s motivated and the clubs who want to offer him a contract know this. Besides, he doesn’t need to play on for the money – he just wants to prove he can still get better.”