Fans were very critical of how few games Ibrahimović was able to play this past season. When he did return from injury, he was not the same player. You could see he was giving everything he had, but many feared the tank was empty. As it turns out, he was suffering beyond what any of us could have imagined. After having surgery on Wednesday, he finally let us all know just what his sacrifices had been in order to keep his Scudetto promise.
 |
| A promise kept |
A few days after the surgery, Ibrahimović posted to Instagram a list of the extent of his sacrifices this past season to help us win the Scudetto:
 |
| It cannot have been easy |
Maldini has confirmed that they have an appointment with him in a couple of weeks to discuss a contract extension. Pioli has said that Ibrahimović planned the surgery because he does not want to stop playing. Only time will tell if he stays on, but we will have a 7-8 month wait for his recovery even if he does.
 |
| He played through all of the pain, even wearing that kit |
According to the official Milan statement, the arthroscopic surgery was "to definitively resolve the joint's instability through the reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament, with lateral reinforcement and meniscus reparation." The operation was considered to be a complete success.
 |
| A forced spectator more often than not |
Whether or not he stays on is probably something he is still weighing out, too. Not only did he keep his promise to the club, the coach, the team, and the fans, he got the trophy that would allow him to retire on a high note, with 34 career trophies. Like he said, he has a new ACL and another trophy. Either way he decides, he's good to go.
 |
| Always ready for a comeback, whether his knee was or not |
Whichever decision he makes would not surprise me, but this season has taught us more than ever how much Ibrahimović is a man of his word. To the extent that he would sacrifice and live in pain daily for six whole months, trying to play, giving the team literally everything he had, and willing them to win just to fulfill his promise.
 |
| He did not play it safe |
The stats show eight goals and three assists, but you cannot measure what his presence meant to the team this season. That kind of devotion and sacrifice is part of the magic that Milan had that set us apart from teams with more experienced squads and bigger wage bills who should have finished ahead of us.
 |
| This one was for you, too, champion |
Now we wait for his decision. I obviously am offering all good wishes for a full and speedy recovery, no matter what he decides. It is the very least I can do after all he has given this team and all the joy he has given me since his return to Milan. Certainly, I will never forget his sacrifice, nor his Scudetto promise.
This post inspired by the music of NIN's "Hurt"