Zlatan reminds everyone that 'he decides'
BREAKING: Zlatan scoffs at retirement speculation in rousing Instagram post.
Injured Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic addressed speculation on his playing future in a typically bullish social media post, hinting that his latest injury setback will not be career-ending.
The 36 year-old striker suffered knee ligament damage during his side's 2-1 UEFA Europa League quarter-final win over Anderlecht on Friday (AEST) - an injury his manager, Jose Mourinho, warned may be difficult to come back from.
"The injuries are really big," Mourinho said in reference to those of Ibrahimovic and team-mate Marcos Rojo. "No player deserves to be injured, but these two cases are even more sad.
"Zlatan, in this phase of his career, it is really hard, and Marcos was in the best moment of his career, playing very well for us and finally getting a position as a central defender in the national team. It's really sad.
Ibrahimovic addressed those concerns head-on in a rousing Instagram post, taken from what appears to be a sauna.
"First of all, thank you for all the support and love," he wrote. "Its no news I got injured so I will be out of fotball for a while.
"I will go through this like everythings (sic) else and come back even stronger. So far I played with one leg so it shouldn't be any problem.
"One thing is for sure, I decide when its time to stop and nothing else. Giving up is not an option. See you soon"
Those words came after reports overnight that Ibrahimovic would retire from the sport he has entertained throughout a distinguished career, having been ruled out for the remainder of the season.