Zlatan Ibrahimović has once again crossed paths with AC Milan after being welcomed as the latest Operating Partner at sports investment fund RedBird Capital.
Ibrahimović’s new duties will revolve around RedBird’s Sports, Media and Entertainment investment portfolio, which also positions him as the Senior Advisor to AC Milan Ownership and Senior Management.
His renewed involvement with the club follows his retirement from football in June 2023 after spending the last years of his professional career with the Rossoneri.
On his new roles, Ibrahimović commented: “I am extremely grateful to be joining both RedBird and AC Milan in these important and influential roles. RedBird has partnered with some of the greatest athletes, teams and business figures in the world to create businesses with meaning and impact. I look forward to contributing to their investing activities across their sports, media and entertainment properties.
“My love for the Rossoneri will never die, and the opportunity to be a part of its future in a meaningful way is something I could only have dreamed of. I am grateful to Gerry for making this opportunity available to me. I have greatly admired the commitment, passion and hard work RedBird and Senior Management have demonstrated since acquiring the Club.
Ibrahimović continued: “This is not a decision that I take lightly – it is one which is very important and personal to me and my family. I’ve thought long and hard about the first steps in my post-playing career, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to start that journey as a member of RedBird and AC Milan.
“For me and my family, this is truly a homecoming with the cherished Club where I ended my playing career and am now starting my next chapter.”
A legendary name in football, Ibrahimović won a total of 34 trophies throughout his playing career with Malmo, Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona FC, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United and the Los Angeles Galaxy. He’s also the all-time top scorer for the Swedish National Team.
Gerry Cardinale, Founder and Managing Partner of RedBird, said: “We have all been fortunate to witness Zlatan’s greatness as a player and his contributions in leading AC Milan to the top of Serie A.
“What makes a winner of Zlatan’s calibre is not just physical talent, but also high intellect and an entrepreneurial spirit. At RedBird, we have developed partnerships with a very select group of high-performing world-class athletes and artists who are able to thrive in the RedBird ecosystem across our sports, media and entertainment portfolio.
“I have had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with Zlatan in thinking through his post-playing career options. To have him play an active role in the future of the Club is indicative of our continued commitment to excellence both on and off the pitch, and I’m looking forward to working with him as a partner and colleague at both RedBird and AC Milan.
Cardinale concluded: “The respect Zlatan commanded as a player, his global presence among fans of the sport, and his diverse skillset as an entrepreneur is a powerful combination for both AC Milan and RedBird. I’m thrilled for our fans, our players and coaching staff, and the rest of the Rossoneri community that we can formally welcome him back to the team once again.”
