Zlatan Ibrahimovic had knee surgery: Milan reports the Swede’s absence for up to eight months

After the celebrations for winning the ‘Scudetto’ with Milan last weekend and ending an 11-year drought without winning the Serie A title, Zlatan Ibrahimovic had to comply with a procedure. The striker, who has a contract until June 30, underwent surgery on his left knee on Wednesday and will need up to eight months to recover.

“Zlatan Ibrahimovic underwent surgery on his left knee at the Jean Mermoz Hospital in Lyon (France). The operation was perfectly successful and the prognosis is estimated at seven or eight months”reported the ‘rossonero’ club through a statement released through its official channels.

It has definitely not been the season for the Swedish striker, who, hampered by injuries, has only played 23 of the 38 games in the domestic championship. The operated knee and an Achilles tendon have been a burden for the Scandinavian striker, whose agreement with Milan is very close to expiring.

“Arthroscopy had long been planned to permanently resolve joint instability by anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, lateral buttressing and meniscus repair”explained the Milanese entity regarding the details of the ‘Ibra’ case.

This season, despite the lack of continuity on the pitch, Ibrahimovic has been a leader in the locker room, being one of the most respected figures alongside the coach, Stefano Pioli. In addition, the 40-year-old has scored a total of nine goals between Serie A and Coppa Italia, and has provided three assists in the domestic championship.

Olivier Giroud picked up Ibrahimovic’s baton up front this season and more than made up for the complicated challenge. The Frenchman, with a contract until 2023, is running as the favorite to continue being the starting number ‘9’ after the loss of Zlatan, whose future, according to the Italian media, will continue to be linked to Milan for a new season.