Mashable: Football legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic has made the decision to retire from the beautiful game at the age of 41. Following AC Milan's final game of the season, a victorious 3-1 encounter against Hellas Verona, Ibrahimovic took the opportunity to bid farewell to the sport in an emotional manner.

Addressing the passionate crowd at the San Siro stadium, the Swedish maestro expressed his gratitude while confirming his retirement from professional football.

AC Milan had previously announced a special ceremony to honor Ibrahimovic as his contract was not set to be renewed at the end of the month. Ibrahimovic, visibly moved by the occasion, acknowledged the profound impact that the club and its fans had on his life and career. With deep affection, he declared that he would forever remain a Milanista.

Ibrahimovic's illustrious career spanned 24 years and included playing for nine different clubs. His goal-scoring prowess led him to net an impressive total of 561 goals for club and country. Notably, he retired as Sweden's all-time leading goal scorer, having found the back of the net 62 times in 121 international matches.

Having previously retired from international football after Euro 2016, Ibrahimovic made a brief comeback for Sweden's World Cup qualifying campaign in 2021. However, he has now concluded his journey on the international stage as well.

While fans flooded social media platforms with good wishes for the iconic striker, Ibrahimovic revealed that he plans to take some time off to reflect on his achievements before making any future decisions. With a storied career behind him, he expressed the need to savor the moment and make thoughtful choices.

Check out a few fan reactions below:

Absolute legend of the beautiful game, and one of the most complete strikers to watch.

Ibrahimovic's professional journey began in his homeland with Malmö FF in 1999 before moving to Ajax in the Netherlands. He went on to play for several renowned clubs, including Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, and Manchester United.

His time in Italy saw Ibrahimovic win multiple league titles, despite some being later vacated due to match-fixing scandals. He also tasted success in Spain with Barcelona and achieved triumphs with Paris Saint-Germain, including domestic quadruples. Notably, Ibrahimovic played a pivotal role in Manchester United's Europa League victory in 2017.

After a stint in Major League Soccer with LA Galaxy, where he left an indelible mark with spectacular goals, Ibrahimovic returned to AC Milan in 2020. Despite battling injuries during his last season, he etched his name in Serie A history as the oldest goal scorer, finding the net at the age of 41 years and 166 days.

As the soccer world bids farewell to an extraordinary talent, Zlatan Ibrahimovic's legacy will forever be remembered for his remarkable skill, charisma, and undeniable impact on the game. Fans and admirers around the globe celebrate his extraordinary career and eagerly await his next chapter, whatever it may be.