Ibra's rare confession: The failure at barcha, the two-year-olds in Milan, when she's gonna retire...

Zlatan Ibrahimovic talked about everything. Milan's champion spoke for himself in “microphones Sky Sports”, interviewed by former Red Team member Massimo Ambrosini. More than an interview, it's a conversation between friends. For the present, but also for the past.

I feel like home to Milanello. My first experience in Milan? Gallian engaged himself, came to me in Barcelona, took off his jacket, sat down and said he wouldn't leave until I went with him... What went wrong with Barcelona? I still don't understand what the problem was. If I didn't know what to choose, I couldn't solve that”.

Ten years later, he's back in Milan. Without fear, but with the desire to be part of a major challenge: “Return to Milan? Instead of reaching a team, which is already at the top, it's better to climb the top yourself. If I was afraid, I wouldn't have signed. Like Manchester United. There I was told I would lose, because I was very old. Contrary to what everyone says.

Ten years ago I had another status, another ego. But I have more experience today. When you're young, you're more likely to be around, now I understand situations better. But if you lose a step or do not get well trained, you will not succeed. It's up to you, the way you get football. The current Milan understands me very well. My associates tell me: show us the way and we'll follow you”

Ibrahimovic, currently in “boks” due to injury, is immune to Pioli, despite those who would have imagined a more saving use of age: “I always want to play, is normal. But, for example, in Europe Coach Pioli told me: You'll play 45 minutes. I respect him. I have a responsibility in front of my teammates and I have to help coach. I feel a lot of responsibility. I like this”.

The common question: where this Milan may go, which after 9 weeks the championship is taking its toll on Serie A. Ibrahimovic is realistic: “The team's hungry, they want to succeed. We're doing good. We shouldn't just have dreams, but play well at the same time. The daily motto must be: how to get better because I have a purpose. So, the team has to do its best, because it's too young and has the feeling of gaining something. Now we shouldn't relax. Everyone just remembers you last fight.

We're not like Inter or Juvenus, who have so many strong players. We're a new team, some are not ready to play every game, others are missing something. We had to win hard to get to Europe, but the team didn't get used to it. Can we aim for the League Champions? I think so...”

More about his relationship with the team and the big personality he has: “If I find people who always say yes, I don't like it. It doesn't have to be like this. I seem to be a boss, but comparison is important. They say it's not easy to play with me, but that's a winning mentality. You do things to win. I pressure, yes, I ask too much. Milan requires a lot, if he doesn't win, another one.

If you make a good pass, it's normal for me, otherwise you wouldn't be here. I overreact? That's why I'm still here and I got what I got. After that there will be a reason. Not many manage to stay long on this level. Someone may get it wrong or good, but on this level you survive, or you eat. And I chose to eat...”

What will Ibrahimovic do after football? I don't know, I have two kids... I pressure them too because they have to understand how things work. Discipline, respect, sacrifice, work. Coach? I don't think so. Being a coach is stressful, I have to give orders to players, because they wouldn't be able to do the things I did”.

When will he stop playing soccer? The book answers: “is dependent on the body. Look at Totti; he could continue, he didn't lack quality. Who goes on, no matter what, does it for egos. I went to America because I wasn't sure I could do the things I did before. I was realistic, so I signed with Milan for six months”.

So here's the background: prior to the signing of the deal with Milan, in summer, Ibrahimovic had decided to leave football: “Pioli asked me what I wanted to do. I answered: No, I'm not. Enough. My family is also important. I'm here alone, it's a sacrifice. For six months she's fine, but not another year. Pioli said, "Okay, I respect you, okay. The next day we spoke again: No, it's not that simple. If you stay, there'll be something else. No, I've decided to retire. Forget the contract, at this age it doesn't matter...

Then something changed. I didn't want to regret it. I called Milan and I decided to continue. But first I decided: No, I won't last another year. Now, at Manchester United I thought I'd quit football. I was 35-36. After the damage, I changed my mind. I told myself to keep going. Who am I without football? When you don't do what you've done for 25 years, it's not easy. I was ready to continue because I felt very good and still feel good”.