Massimiliano Allegri has insisted Zlatan Ibrahimovic is fully committed to AC Milan and is confident he will see out the remainder of his contract.
The Sweden striker, who will miss his country’s mouth-watering Euro 2012 Group E qualifying clash against the unbeaten Netherlands at Rasundastadion, Solna, on Tuesday because of a suspension, sparked speculation about his future only last week when he suggested he had fallen out of love with football.
“Football is no longer burning inside me like back in the days. Playing football has become more and more of a routine job for me,” the former Juventus and Internazionale targetman told Il Corriere dello Sport.
He added: “I am starting to become tired of football and am no longer motivated like before. Football was all I was thinking about when I was younger, but things are different now.”
Perhaps he’ll take some time off to practice his football bowling if his attitude doesn’t improve soon.
The 30-year-old instrumental in Milan’s first Serie A triumph since 2004 last season and has a contract with the Serie A champions which expires in June 2015. Those following the football betting would have expected him to play a key part in their efforts this season.
Allegri said he has full trust in his 24million euros signing and believes Milan fans have yet to see the best of Ibrahimovic.
“Sometimes words can be misinterpreted,” the Italian told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
He added that he didn’t believe the player could be tired because the season has only just started and claimed that Ibrahimovic remains committed to the club.
Milan return to Serie A duty on Saturday when they host early-season pace-setters Palermo at the San Siro.