Ibrahimovic: Four Milan players can still improve, Rabiot already close in 2024 | OneFootball

Zlatan Ibrahimovic names four Milan players who can further improve this season and reveals Adrien Rabiot was supposed to join the Rossoneri in 2024, but ‘wanted to play in France.’

RedBird Advisor Ibrahimovic released an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, discussing his role at Milan and the Rossoneri’s results and objectives in 2025-26.

The former striker said Rafael Leao is one of the “strongest players in the world”, but when asked about the possible surprises of the season, he replied:

“Pavlovic can still improve. Gimenez, once he unlocks himself, will score a lot. Jashari is a top player, and Ricci will grow too. The team is a good mix of present and future.”

Ibra: Rabiot supposed to join Milan in 2024

MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 23: Adrien Rabiot of AC Milan is pursued by Mohamed Kaba Drame of US Lecce during the Coppa Italia Frecciarossa Round of 16 match between AC Milan and US Lecce at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 23, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)

Adrien Rabiot and Luka Modric seem to have brought the Milan midfield to a different level and Ibra said the Frenchman was already close to joining the Rossoneri a year ago, when he was available as a free agent from Juventus.

“He was supposed to come a year ago. We tried, but he wanted to play in France,” said Ibra.

Rabiot joined Marseille in 2024, but left the club just a year later after a violent clash with English winger Jonathan Rowe.

As for Modric, Ibra said: “We’re different. He’s a leader on the pitch, but he doesn’t take up much space off it.

“Yet he brought the experience that was missing. Even if he hadn’t played a ‘wow’ game, just being near him would give you something. On the pitch, we told him: ‘Go and do your thing.'”

Ibra is surely not surprised by the quality of the Croatian star, who turned 40 in September.

“He’s been playing like this for 20 years. Many remain at the top for just two years and then disappear. Others stay at the top for 20 years. Those are the real champions, even if they don’t win the Ballon d’Or; one of those is in front of you.”

ROME, ITALY – MAY 14: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Football Advisor at AC Milan, looks on after the team’s defeat in the Coppa Italia Final match between AC Milan and Bologna at Stadio Olimpico on May 14, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Ibrahimovic’s sons, Maximilian, 19, and Vincent, 17, play in the Milan Academy.

“Until they were 16, they used their mother’s last name. Then they came to me and said they wanted to be called Ibrahimovic,” said the ex-Milan star.

“They were ready; they felt it. I made sure they understood it wouldn’t be easy.

“When they started, I didn’t set foot in Vismara for two years. I don’t know if that was a mistake. I’m a dad who wants to enjoy their moments too, but I didn’t want to cause confusion. Now that they’re playing, I help, give advice, and follow them. But I judge them like everyone else.

“What really made me angry were all the nonsense stories that came out. Like that Camarda didn’t sign because of me. Even for my son, I didn’t get involved in signing. That wouldn’t be right. If they make it, it has to be because they earned it. Of course, if it were up to me, they’d already be in the first team and in the national team, but they’re as important as everyone else in our Academy.”