AC Milan Confirm Extent of Zlatan Ibrahimović's 'Season-Threatening' Injury

FBL-SWE-ITA-HAMMARBY-IBRAHIMOVIC
FBL-SWE-ITA-HAMMARBY-IBRAHIMOVIC / JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/Getty Images
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AC Milan have confirmed that striker Zlatan Ibrahimović has avoided a season-ending injury and will instead only be sidelined temporarily with a less severe calf injury.

The 38-year-old picked up the issue while taking a shot in training on Monday and was initially investigated for a potential Achilles injury; similar to the one which sidelined him earlier in the campaign.

Being forced on to the treatment table for another few months would have likely meant the Swede's season was over – some reports calling the injury 'career-threatening' – but Milan took to their official website to specifically confirm that his Achilles tendon is fine.

"AC Milan reports that Zlatan Ibrahimović in yesterday's training reported an injury to the soleus muscle of his right calf," a statement read. "The Achilles tendon is perfectly intact. An instrumental control examination will be carried out in ten days."

Fortunately for Ibrahimović, it seems as though he will be able to play a major part of the conclusion of the season for Milan.

FC Internazionale v AC Milan - Serie A
FC Internazionale v AC Milan - Serie A / Pablo Morano/MB Media/Getty Images

He managed four goals and one assist in ten appearances following his January switch from LA Galaxy and he already sits fourth in I Rossoneri's scoring charts in the league, such is the extent of Milan's goalscoring struggles this year.

Ibrahimović's experience was felt almost immediately at San Siro. Milan were 11th at the time of his first appearance, but a run of just two defeats in their last nine games has seen them climb their way up to seventh.

Despite an abysmal start to the season, Milan now sit just three points behind the final Europa League spot, so having Ibrahimović back will come as a huge boost to their chances of salvaging something positive from this campaign.

As of yet, no date has been set for Serie A's return, but mid-June has been suggested as the likeliest restart date.


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