Doctors Want To Perform Research On Zlatan Ibrahimovic's Physique After He Retires

Former Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic was ruled out for nine months with significant knee ligament damage after a nasty fall against Anderlecht in 2016.

But the ever-optimistic Swede was convinced he would come back stronger than ever.

The 38-year-old would often post inspirational messages on his Instagram while recovering, but many doubted whether he'd return to football after such a horrific injury.

Image: ZlatanIbrahimovic/Instagram

I mean, Ibrahimovic wasn't getting any younger but I guess that doesn't really apply to this warrior of a man.

"I will go through this like everything else and come back even stronger." he said at the time.

"So far I played with one leg so it shouldn't be any problem. One thing is for sure, I decide when it's time to stop and nothing else. Giving up is not an option. See you soon."

It was unclear as to whether Ibrahimovic would remain a Manchester United player but he would eventually decide to join LA Galaxy in a huge move for Major League Soccer.

Zlatan

It was a decision that he and his club would not regret. In his first 17 games, the 36-year-old scored 15 goals, including a hat-trick against Orlando City earlier this week.

The former Barcelona striker took to social media after his three goals to show the extent of the knee injury that threatened his career.

Many said it was over, he said "NO."

It is further evidence that doctors at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine were right about his physical condition.

"His knee is so strong that the doctors said they had never seen anything like it," Zlatan's agent, Mino Raiola, told Swedish newspaper Expressen.

"He has a knee that it is almost impossible for a football player with a 20-year career to have. It was quite clean, there was no harm in it.

"Zlatan is so strong that the doctor wants him back after his career to research on him. They work on the world's best research institutions for the knees and ligaments.

"They research a lot on the subject and that is why they are better than everyone else, and doctors want back Zlatan to do research on him.

"So after Zlatan's career, we will go back and open him up again to do research on his ligaments."

How long can he go on for? Ibra doesn't look like he's slowing down.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Topics: Football News, Football, Manchester United, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, injury

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is a writer at SPORTbible. He's interviewed some of the biggest names in sport, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pele, Carles Puyol and Tim Henman. He dabbles in all things sport but football is his biggest passion. He was once hit in the head by a wayward strike from Nicky Butt and lived to tell the tale.

@jackkenmare_