Zlatan Ibrahimovic: AC Milan Star Shows Emotional Side in Message to Ill Friend Thijs Slegers

• Zlatan Ibrahimovic showed his emotional side while reminiscing with an old friend
• Thijs Slegers, a former journalist, became friends with the widely travelled striker during his days at Ajax
• Sleegres has unfortunately been declared terminally ill as he battles blood cancer

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is often known for his confidence and bravado. His press conferences usually depict someone who is self-aware of his abilities and doesn't shy away from talking about them.

To his credit, he always matches his big talk with exquisite performances on the pitch. He has played in different leagues in his career and conquered them all.

Beneath the unruffled human being lies someone who gets emotional as well. The Swede striker recently shared a moving message to his long-time friend Thijs Slegers who is terminally ill with blood cancer

How does Thijs Slegers know Ibrahimovic?

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The Sun reports that Slegers is a former journalist who met with Ibrahimovic during his Ajax days. The duo became friends, with Ibrahimovic dedicating his autobiography to him.

Slegers was sadly diagnosed with acute leukaemia in 2020 before later revealing that he was terminally ill. The National Library of Medicine describes a terminally ill patient as someone who has been diagnosed with a condition which can be expected to result in death in 24 months or less.

He was hosted on ESPN Netherlands with many of his friends reminiscing about their time together. Fighting back the tears, Ibrahimovic said:

"He was the only friend I had from Holland. I was lost, I was young, and I was confused. I really didn't have anybody in Holland. I had this journalist that reached out to me and at that time, the journalists, they were not my friends. They were the opposite, enemies.

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I even wrote about Thijs in my book, I was very thankful for everything and we still keep in contact and he went straight in my heart from that moment."

Thijs, I only want to say that I love you, my friend."

Slegers is currently working as the spokesperson of Dutch club PSV Eindhoven.

Ibrahimovic's warning to AC Milan rivals

Sports Brief had earlier reported that Zlatan Ibrahimovic has vowed to turn the fortunes of AC Milan around once he returns from injury.

The Swedish striker is close to returning to competitive action after resuming first-team training this week.

Ibrahimovic was forced into a long layoff last year and underwent knee surgery after damaging his ligaments and has been absent for close to nine months.