Alexander Isak has just delivered a public message to Zlatan Ibrahimovic after announcement

Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak has issued a thank you message to Zlatan Ibrahimovic after his fellow Sweden international announced his retirement from football.

Ibrahimovic has confirmed that he will be calling time on his career this summer when his AC Milan contract expires at the end of this month.

The 41-year-old announced the news on Sunday that he will be hanging up his boots for good. He addressed the AC Milan fans after their 3-1 win over Verona, and was given a guard of honour by his teammates as the supporters paid tribute to an incredible player.

It has been a difficult final season for Ibrahimovic, who has barely played due to injury. He has been limited to just four appearances for AC Milan, scoring in his final club game – a 3-1 defeat to Udinese back in March.

His last ever game came six days later for the Sweden national team. He played 17 minutes during a Euro 2024 qualifier, as Sweden lost 3-0 to Belgium.

Ibrahimovic came on for Newcastle‘s record signing Isak that night, and the 23-year-old has now paid tribute to the veteran striker.

Alexander Isak’s message to Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Following the news of Ibrahimovic’s retirement, tributes have been flooding in for a man who has had a legendary career that included winning trophies in Netherlands, Italy, Spain, France and England.

He has had an incredible career, and Isak has thanked Ibrahimovic for everything he has done for the game.

Alongside a picture of him playing alongside Ibrahimovic, Isak wrote on Instagram: “Thank you for everything you have done for the football world.”

No Zlatan at St James’ Park
Isak has always been dubbed the new Ibrahimovic, and now he has the responsibility of being Sweden’s main man.

He can also fill that role at Newcastle, where he enjoyed an exciting debut year after his £63million move from Real Sociedad.

Isak has done the unthinkable at times in a Toon shirt, much like his now former teammate Ibrahimovic.

Now Isak will be playing in the Champions League with the Magpies, where they will not come up against Ibrahimovic. He is one great who will not play against Newcastle at St James’ Park next season.

Interestingly, Ibrahimovic has never played at St James’ Park. He has only competed against Newcastle once in his career, and that came at Old Trafford in 2017 when he was a Manchester United player.