He will be remembered for what he wins with AC Milan’ – Zlatan Ibrahimovic challenges Tijjani Reijnders to lead Rossoneri to silverware

AC Milan legend and current sporting advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic has heaped praise on midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, who has become a crucial cog in the centre of the park for the team. However, the former striker challenged the 26-year-old to lead Rossoneri to silverware, as he believes that Reijnders’ time with the Serie A giants will be measured on the basis of the trophies he wins.

• AFP

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Reijnders arrived at Milan from Dutch side AZ Alkmaar in the summer of 2023 and has taken to life at the club like fish to water. His growing reputation as one of Europe’s top midfielders and his influence for the Rossoneri has caught the eye of Premier League giants Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur. However, Milan do not want to lose one of their key men and are reportedly planning to double the Netherlands international’s wages with a new contract offer.

  With Milan and Reijnders seemingly moving towards a longer association, Ibrahimovic has urged the latter to follow in the footsteps of some legendary Dutchmen. The likes of Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard, and Marco van Basten achieved unprecedented success during their time in Italy. In more recent times, though, Milan haven’t tasted much glory. The last of their 19 league titles came at the end of the 2021-22 season.

  WHAT ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC SAID

  “I think he is the player who has grown the most in a short time,” Ibrahimovic said in an interview with UEFA Champions League Magazine (h/t Calciomercato). “He arrived from Holland, from the great work done at AZ, and he is doing an exceptional job. He has become an important player for the team, for the club and for his national team, proving to be a high-level profile.

  “If we go back, there is the historic trio with Marco van Basten, Frank Rijkaard and Ruud Gullit, who were icons and symbols of the club. The Dutch players have a good CV at the club, and Reijnders feels a bit of pressure to be Dutch and to have to prove his worth. But he is doing a great job. We are very satisfied with him, and he must continue like this. Like every Milan player, however, he will be remembered for what he wins. If you don’t win, you are not remembered.”

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  WHAT NEXT FOR TIJJANI REIJNDERS?

  The Milan No. 14 will be representing Netherlands during the team’s upcoming Nations League fixtures against Hungary and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Post the international break, he’ll feature in an intense Serie A encounter as Milan welcome Juventus on November 23 at the iconic San Siro stadium.