Pioli extols Ibrahimovic’s feat after Serie A record

Milan head coach Stefano Pioli lauded “champion” Zlatan Ibrahimovic after the Rossoneri star made more Serie A history in the 3-0 win over Cagliari.

Ibrahimovic – aged 38 years and 302 days – became the oldest player to score 10-plus goals in a Serie A season with his strike against Cagliari in Saturday’s 2019-20 finale at San Siro.

After having a penalty saved, Ibrahimovic netted in the 55th minute to take his tally to 10 goals in just 18 top-flight appearances since re-joining Milan from MLS outfit LA Galaxy in January.

Pioli heaped praise on the evergreen veteran striker, telling MilanTV: “Don’t tell him he’s the oldest to have scored 10 goals in Serie A.

“He is a champion in everything he does, he has made a very important contribution. Our improvements have gone hand in hand, individually and collectively.

“The boys will have a well-deserved rest but soon they will have to resume training at home as during the lockdown.”

Milan are in negotiations with Ibrahimovic over a new contract, with the former Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona star’s deal set to expire.

“We have built something this season and it should be given consistency. So next season will be trying to build on what we’ve already done,” Milan director Paolo Maldini told Sky Sport Italia pre-game.

“In all honesty, Zlatan is part of this project. It won’t be an easy negotiation, but we fully intend to keep him with us. We have many young players who can grow exponentially with Ibra by their side.

“We might have different ways of achieving our objectives, but we need the same general vision of where we want to end up, otherwise I wouldn’t be here.”