Swedish football legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic has announced his retirement from football at the age of 41. His contract with AC Milan ends in June, but he has decided not to renew it due to an injury-ridden season.
During his final match, the striker was given a guard of honour by his teammates and was serenaded by Milan fans who held up a large Tifo with the message “Godbye”.
Ibrahimovic expressed his gratitude to his family, teammates, coaches, and managers, but reserved his most heartfelt thanks for the fans. He said:
<blockquote>
I have so many memories and lived so many emotions in here, the first time I arrived here you gave me happiness. The second time love. 
  
I want to thank my family, everyone close to me, for their patience. I want to thank my second family, the players. I want to thank (AC Milan head coach Stefano) Pioli and his staff for the responsibility you have given me. I want to thank the managers for the opportunity.
But most important of all: from my heart I want to thank you fans. You welcomed me with open arms, you made me feel at home. I will be a Milan fan for life. The time has come to say goodbye to football, but not to you.
I have too many emotions that are passing through me. See you around, if you’re lucky. Forza Milan and goodbye
</blockquote>
Ibrahimovic started his professional career at Malmo FF in 1999 and played for several top European teams, including Manchester United, Inter Milan, and Milan. He helped Milan win the Scudetto in 2011 and again last season.
Despite retiring from the Swedish national team after Euro 2016, he returned for their 2021 World Cup qualifying campaign. He is Sweden’s all-time top scorer with 62 goals in 121 matches.
Earlier in his final match, Ibrahimovic’s teammate Rafael Leao celebrated his second goal by dedicating it to the retiring striker. AC Milan won the match against Hellas Verona 3-1.
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Zlatan Ibrahimovic Retires From Professional Football At Age 41

The 2022/23 UEFA Champions League quarter-final, semi-final and final <a href="https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/027f-178de7ac705a-072ecddc9215-1000--champions-league-quarter-final-draw-real-madrid-vs-chelse/">draws</a> took place on 17 March with reigning <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/champions-league-final-defeat-was-torture-says-klopp-as-liverpool-madrid-meet-again/">Champions, Real Madrid</a> taking on Carlo Ancelotti’s former team, Chelsea.
The remaining eight teams were paired as follows:
<blockquote>
Real Madrid vs Chelsea – 
Benfica vs Inter 
Man City vs Bayern
AC Milan vs Napoli 
</blockquote>
The first legs will be played on 11 April at venues yet to be announced.
The second legs will be played on the 18th of April. Venues are yet to be announced. 
Semi-finals: 9/10 &amp; 16/17 May
<blockquote>
1. Milan / Napoli vs Benfica / Inter
2. Real Madrid / Chelsea vs Man City / Bayern
</blockquote>
Europa:
<blockquote>
Man Utd vs Sevilla, 
Juventus vs Sporting, 
Leverkusen vs Union Saint-Gilloise, 
Feyenoord vs Roma; 
</blockquote>
The first legs will take place on April 13, with the return fixture on April 20; the semi-finals first legs on May 11, second legs on May 18; United will face Juventus if both win their quarter-finals. 
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UEFA Champions League Quarter-final, Semi-final Draw Results

Former Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Manchester United coach, Jose Mourinho has <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">found a new job</a> following his recent <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/04/19/tottenham-hotspur-fires-jose-mourinho/">expulsion from Tottenham Hotspur.</a>
The former Porto coach landed a punditry role with radio station talkSPORT barely two weeks after his sack by Spurs for producing undesirable results.
The former Milan boss takes up the punditry duties for this summer’s Euros
The 58-year-old Portuguese international’s arrival was unveiled by Alan Brazil on the breakfast show on Friday morning. Speaking on his new job, Mourinho said:
<blockquote>
Hello to everyone at talkSPORT, this is Jose Mourinho. Delighted to say I will be joining the talkSPORT team for the Euros this summer. I will be joining the likes of Laura Woods, Ally McCoist and Alan Brazil to give my views on all of the action.
Good luck to England, good luck to Scotland and of course good luck to Portugal.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, Ajax boss Erik ten Hag is a frontrunner to replace Mourinho at Spurs while super-agent Jorge Mendes is reportedly pushing Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo in the club’s direction.
Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers is understood to have snubbed Levy’s advances to take over.
Levy described Mourinho as ‘a true professional’ following his sacking, ending the Portuguese’s 17-month stay with the club after taking over from Mauricio Pochettino in November 2019.
Mourinho pocketed £20m in compensation from Spurs for the dismissal.
More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>; <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-9528591/Jose-Mourinho-signs-pundit-PHONE-HOST-talkSPORT.html?ito=push-notification&amp;ci=146738&amp;si=28644866&amp;ai=9528591">Daily Mail</a>

Ex-Chelsea, Madrid Coach, Jose Mourinho Finds New Job

AC Milan and Italian midfielder Andrea Poli visited the Victoria Falls where he reportedly sampled the 111-metre bungee jump from the Victoria Falls bridge on Saturday.
He is said to have taken a helicopter ride with Shearwaters Safaris for an aerial view of the Victoria Falls. Poli also posed for a picture with former Zifa Southern Region chairperson and football administrator Morgan Gazza Dube. Poli was said to have flown to South Africa yesterday.
More: <a href="http://www.chronicle.co.zw/milan-star-at-falls/">Chronicle</a>

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