Ibrahimovic on Alajbegovic: "I'm Amazed, He Plays Like the Stadium is His"

RedBird chief Gerry Cardinale attended a summit at AC Milan today to strategize transfer plans, following Zlatan Ibrahimovic's public praise for club target Kerim Alajbegovic, stating: "This is a rarity."

This marked the first major meeting since the club established its new hierarchy, though Cardinale himself was not initially expected to be present at Casa Milan headquarters.

According to Sport Mediaset, the meeting included Cardinale, CEO Massimo Calvelli, Player Trading Director Hendrik Almstadt, Football Intelligence Director Bobby Gardiner, and Chief Scout Donato Lomonte.

Ibra, a special advisor to RedBird, was unable to participate as he is currently in the USA, working for Fox Sports as a television analyst during the World Cup.

Nevertheless, he also acts as a scout for Milan, as evidenced by his comments on the sensational goal scored by Bosnian talent Alajbegovic against Qatar.

“Everyone is talking about the goal, but for me, the goal isn’t the most important thing. The most important thing is the courage,” Ibrahimovic told Fox Sports. “An 18-year-old player at a World Cup, under pressure, with millions watching, and he plays as if the stadium is his. This is a rarity.” “Many young players have talent. Talent is everywhere. But talent without character means nothing. When I watched Kerim, I didn’t see a young player hoping to have a good game. I saw a player who believed he was the best on the pitch.” “The finish was beautiful, yes. The technique was perfect, yes. But what impressed me was the confidence before the goal. The way he demanded the ball, the way he attacked the moment. Great players don’t wait for opportunities. They create them,” Ibrahimovic added.

It has long been reported that Alajbegovic desires a move to Serie A, as Bayer Leverkusen intends to sell him after his impressive loan spell at RB Salzburg.

However, it appears that Roma, Napoli, and Atalanta do not consider him a priority, which could present an opportunity for Milan to capitalize and sign him.

He primarily plays on the left wing in an attacking trio, the same position as Rafael Leao, which presents a dilemma for the club.