Zlatan Ibrahimovic likens himself to Benjamin Button after two-goal AC Milan performance

AC Milan forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic likened himself to F Scott Fitzgerald character Benjamin Button after scoring twice in a 4-1 Serie A win at Sampdoria.

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In the 1922 short story by Fitzgerald, which was later adapted into a Hollywood film, Benjamin Button is born old and dies young, living life in reverse. And the Swede believes that he too is getting stronger as his years advance.

"People tell me I'm old and tired but I'm just getting warmed up," the 38-year-old Swede told Milan's TV channel after taking his tally to nine league goals since he returned for a second stint at the club in January.

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After struggling in the first half of the season, Milan have lost only twice since Ibrahimovic's arrival.

"It's obvious that Ibra has been very important for our improvement, although it wasn't just his arrival, it was also the work we did in the previous months," said Milan coach Stefano Pioli, whose side are sixth in Serie A.

Ibrahimovic's contract expires at the end of the season and Pioli said it was up to the club directors to negotiate an extension.

"I can't do much about the financial side," he said. "(Ibrahimovic) tells me that he feels good, that he's happy, and he proves it with the work he does every day."

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