When footballing legend Zlatan Ibrahimović joined once European giants A.C. Milan in January, many thought he was past his best. After dominating for nearly two decades at clubs including Barcelona, Inter, PSG, Man Utd and Milan, the Swede joined LA Galaxy in the MLS last year, a competition commonly referred to as a retiring home. Although he kept up his impressive goal-scoring record in America, most doubted he'd be able to replicate that form on his return to Italy.
WATCH: Zlatan Is Put Through His Paces Working On His Mobility And Power
The 38-year-old striker hasn't banged in goals left, right and centre upon his arrival but he's still proved to be a valuable addition – the Italian side has lost just once since Zlatan rejoined his former club two months ago. And despite being at the backend of his career – it's rare that footballers can play at an elite level after 35 – his physicality has impressed, most recently playing three games in seven days while also clocking a top speed of 32.45km/hr – Melbourne Storm's Josh Addo-Carr has reached a maximum of 38.5km/hr for comparison.
So how does the man who describes himself as "god" keep up his form despite being nearly 40 years old? A quick look at his workout at Milanello explains just how.
The veteran forward focus on both power and mobility. Most efforts throughout the 90 minutes involve bursts of energy – sprinting, headers, shooting – the importance is undeniable. At the same time, given the fragility that comes with his age, prehab is equally crucial and that includes a lot of mobility work. Ensuring joints and muscles are well conditioned helps prevent injuries – while at Manchester United, Zlatan suffered an ACL injury that ended his season prematurely.
So here's what a typical workout looks like for Ibrahimovic:
- Exercise Ball Twist
- Ab Rollers
- Wall Slams With A Medicine Ball
- Exercise Ball Twist
- High Intensity Battle Ropes
You can see the full workout above.
