Ibrahimovic belittles 500-goal achievement: My job is to score!

Zlatan Ibrahimovic was not immediately looking to celebrate his latest achievement on Sunday after passing 500 club career goals in Milan’s 4-0 defeat of Crotone.

The veteran Rossoneri striker increased his tally to 501 in club action with his sixth Serie A brace of the season at San Siro.

The first of Ibrahimovic’s two strikes, assisted by Rafael Leao, arrived 15 minutes before the break to belatedly bring up the milestone.

The 39-year-old had been stuck on 499 for almost two weeks after a red card against Inter and a missed penalty at Bologna.

Ibrahimovic was asked by Sky Sport at half-time of his accomplishment but was not interested in discussing personal glory.

“It means I’ve scored a few goals in my career,” he said. “But the important thing is to help the team. My job is to score.”

Ibrahimovic added his second following the restart, and Ante Rebic then also netted a double, teed up twice by Hakan Calhanoglu in the space of 70 seconds.

Meanwhile, Milan kept their eighth league clean sheet of the season, a division high.

30′ @Ibra_official breaks the deadlock with his 500th club goal!
Sumptuous one-two with @RafaeLeao7 to set up the goal. #MilanCrotone 1-0 #SempreMilan @EASPORTSFIFA pic.twitter.com/KJoO74BeyA

— AC Milan (@acmilan) February 7, 2021

Coach Stefano Pioli was therefore keen to share the praise around at full-time, even as he hailed Ibrahimovic’s efforts.

“He has great qualities and is a champion who is doing well,” Pioli said. “He has great ambition and is competitive, which is why he always manages to stay at high levels.

“But let’s not forget all the others who are all doing their best. There is still a lot to do and let’s not get excited, because the difficult moments are yet to come.”

Victory moved Milan back above rivals Inter at the summit, two points clear again despite losing two of their prior three home games.

Pioli added: “I believe that the growth of the team is in the right direction.

“We are a young but responsible group, always giving our best, every day, without being influenced by others and critics.

“Expectations rise and that is merited. We welcome it. Now we have to hold up.”