'I'll keep going' - Zlatan Ibrahimovic says terrible Manchester United injury inspired him to prolong career

AC Milan striker going strong at the age of 39

AC Milan manager Stefano Pioli, right, congratulates Zlatan Ibrahimovic. AP

Who knew what was to come? Zlatan, probably. He made his debut for Malmo in Sweden in September 1999 as a 17-year-old. Amazingly they were relegated in 2000, seen a huge failure. Zlatan came to the rescue and they were promoted the following season. He played 47 games in total for Malmo, scoring 18 goals, before leaving for his next club Ajax in July 2001. Shutterstock

Two league titles and two cups collected by Zlatan during his three seasons with Ajax. He was their most expensive signing ever, naturally, at €8.7m (Dh 35m). A total of 110 games, with 48 goals and 16 assists marked his time in Amsterdam before the next stop. Action Images

Fabio Capello decided Zlatan was the man for him and in 2004 he joined the Italian at Juventus for €16m. Where he became known as Ibra. A great first season, winning the Scudetto, and then again the following year. However, Juve were relegated as punishment in the Calciopoli match-fixing scandal. After 92 games, and 26 goals, Ibra was on the move again. Reuters

Inter Milan, a defining period in the life of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Where he changed from top class to world class (in his own view, of course). Ibra carried Inter to three successive league titles, after his €24.8m move in August 2006, playing 117 games and scoring 66 times. Reuters

Next stop Barcelona, for a fee of €69.5m. After a tremendous start - scoring in the first five league games and deciding El Clasico, he fell out with manager Pep Guardiola. Despite four trophies, 46 games and 22 goals, Ibra only lasted one year at Barca before he was off on his travels again. Reuters

Back to Milan, this time in red and black, in August 2010, for €24m. Would he succeed in Italy again? Of course he would. A Scudetto in 2010/11 and 28 league goals the next season. A huge hit again in Serie A, 85 games and 56 goals, but that didn't stop his next move. Reuters

Off to Paris-Saint-Germain for a mere €23m in July 2012. It was a surprise move at the time but he lasted four years in the French capital after scoring an incredible 30 league goals in his first season. Goals were certainly to Zlatan's taste in France, where he helped himself to 156 in 180 games, winning 12 trophies, including Ligue 1 in all four seasons. Reuters

Zlatan on a free transfer. Some piece of business for Manchester United in July 2016, though his salary was certainly on the generous side. Back with Jose Mourinho after their spell together in Italy with Inter Milan, Zlatan, as usual, made his mark, scoring 28 goals in 46 appearances across the Premier League, Europa League and cup competitions. A handful of games followed in 2017-18 before he was on the move. Reuters

Club No 9 for Zlatan, and over to the USA on another free transfer in March 2018 with Los Angeles Galaxy. A total of 58 games and 53 goals over his two seasons was another fine achievement. In a tweet he wrote: 'I came, I saw, I conquered … You wanted Zlatan. I gave you Zlatan. You are welcome.' But it's still not enough for Zlatan, as the football world eagerly awaits the next chapter in a remarkable story. Reuters

Zlatan is still going strong, now back at AC Milan. Getty

AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic said recovering from the serious knee injury he suffered at Manchester United three years ago fuelled his desire to prolong his playing career and that he is not ready to hang up his boots just yet.

Ibrahimovic arrived at Old Trafford in 2016 after winning league titles with Dutch side Ajax, Italian clubs Juventus, Inter and AC Milan, Spain's Barcelona and French giants Paris St Germain.

But his time at United was marred by a career-threatening injury in 2017 that kept him out of action for almost a year.

The 39-year-old re-joined Milan in January after two seasons with LA Galaxy, and has thrived on his return, scoring 10 goals this season to lift Stefano Pioli's side to the top of the table.

"After my injury I said to myself that as long as I can play football, I want to play," Ibrahimovic told the BBC. "When you play on this level it's all about performance. If you perform, if you bring results, then you are still at the top.

"As soon as you don't do that, someone else will come and perform. I like that pressure, I don't want to be here because of what I've done before. I'm here because of what I do at present. That's why I bring out the best every day. I'll keep going until I can't do these things any more."

Milan are four points clear of second-placed Sassuolo with a game in hand as they seek their first league title since 2010-11.

"We are in unbelievable form - we are doing great," Ibrahimovic added. "But still we haven't won anything, we have to keep that in mind."