Ibrahimovic: ‘Incredible’ Walker visit. I ‘thought’ about becoming an agent | OneFootball

RedBird advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic admits he thought about becoming a football agent before accepting an offer from Gerry Cardinale and explains how he wants everyone to feel part of the Milan family.

Ibrahimovic spoke about his career on – especially – and off the pitch in an interview with GQ Italia, where he insisted that Milan owner Cardinale had put the ‘right people’ in charge of the club.

The former striker added that he had a chance to become a football agent before becoming a RedBird Advisor.

“I am someone who loves big challenges. When I do something, it has to be huge. Otherwise, I don’t feel the adrenaline, the pressure. And I need the pressure,” he said.

“I don’t like normal things. At first, I said no, I’m not interested. Also, when my agent, Mino Raiola, passed away a couple of years ago, I had the opportunity to enter his company and become an agent. I thought about it. And I was clear with Gerry: I said, listen, I have this opportunity, and I also have the one you’re offering me, but actually. I don’t want either.

Ibrahimovic: ‘Incredible’ Walker visit. I ‘thought’ about becoming an agent

epa11761049 Swedish former soccer player and AC Milan’s senior advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic looks on during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Atalanta BC and AC Milan, in Bergamo, Italy, 06 December 2024. EPA-EFE/MICHELE MARAVIGLIA

“My life at that moment was good as it was. I didn’t depend on anyone. No schedule to follow. No alarm clock at seven. The only plan I had was my two ninjas, my two kids, and Helena. And of course, life at home, training.”

However, Cardinale eventually convinced Ibra, who was officially hired by RedBird in December 2023.

“I try to keep balance and not get stressed,” he added.

“Because in this job, at Casa Milan, you don’t realize you’re stressed until you hit the wall. And when that happens, it might be too late. That’s why I try to balance everything. For example, I don’t have an office. They wanted to give me one, but I chose not to. A desk is not proof of effectiveness. For me, it’s about putting all my effort into doing what’s needed. That’s it. Whether it’s here at Casa Milan or at Milanello.

“If I was stressed, angry as a player, or if something wasn’t right, I would go to the gym for two hours. Even today, I try to train every day when I can. To release anger, to let out energy. If something isn’t right, if something isn’t working, I vent like this: I train, I suffer in training. Because I like to suffer. In my head, it’s clear: if you want to reach the top, you have to suffer.”

Ibrahimovic insisted that he wants everyone to feel part of the team.

“What matters most to me is the idea of uniting these two worlds, because there isn’t the team over there at Milanello and the club here at Casa Milan. There is only one thing, there is only Milan. And I want to unite these worlds.

“That’s how we work. A new player arrives? He comes with me. They tell me: Ibra, it would be nice if Walker visited Casa Milan. I say: Don’t worry, he will visit every floor and greet everyone. He will. And he did. It was incredible. This way, he sees the whole system: business, marketing, the team, the staff. Everyone together.

“When we won the Supercoppa in Riyadh and were on the field celebrating, the first thing I told my guys was: When we get back, we bring the trophy to Casa Milan. We take a picture with everyone. Because everyone has the right to see this trophy, not just the players. And when I say everyone, I mean everyone. Not just masseurs or physiotherapists, but all of Milan, all the commercial staff, everyone. This is the most important thing. That’s why our motto is Winning Together.”