The Swedish star has been in touch with his manager, who believes his determination to improve has ensured he's become one of the best
AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli compared star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic to tennis legend Roger Federer.
Ibrahimovic made an instant impact after re-joining Milan in January prior to the Serie A season being postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
A title winner with AC Milan, Inter, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United and Ajax, Ibrahimovic had scored four goals across all competitions in his second coming at San Siro following his arrival from LA Galaxy.
Amid doubts over Ibrahimovic's future at Milan – where he only signed an initial deal until the end of the season – due to the Covid-19 crisis, Pioli likened the 38-year-old to 20-time grand slam champion and fellow veteran Federer.
"I spoke to him, he's doing well," Pioli said during an Instagram Live chat. "I think talent is an innate quality and it's not difficult for me to spot it, but talent can be worked on and improved.
"I set the example of Roger Federer, as he was born with that talent, but worked constantly every day to become probably the greatest tennis player who ever lived.
"We also saw great natural talents wasted, perhaps because they were unwilling to make the sacrifices and work hard. I trained Miroslav Klose, the striker who scored the most goals in the World Cup.
"Even Ibra tells me his only objective every day is to improve his performance and that's what it's all about."
Kevin-Prince Boateng recently praised the influence of Ibrahimovic during his time at Milan, claiming the Swede was a dream to work with.
"Milan must keep him, he knows how to make a difference," the 33-year-old Ghana international told Sky Sports Italia .
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"It was easy for me to play with him, I understood it immediately. He asks a lot of his teammates, but he gave me a lot of space, he gave me balls that I dreamed of.
"He was the perfect companion. He criticised everyone if he didn't get the ball well or if you were wrong in front of the goal, but in doing so he was teaching."
While strongly linked with a move away from AC Milan at season's end, Ibrahimovic himself has stated he's unsure where he'll be playing next season.
Source : Football News, Live Scores, Results & Transfers | Goal.com
Ibrahimovic's work ethic like Federer's - Pioli
Ibrahimovic's work ethic like Federer's - Pioli
