Zlatan Ibrahimovic left the Amsterdam Arena in buoyant mood after making his return to action for Inter in the second half of Friday’s LG Amsterdam Tournament match against Sevilla.

“I felt good, I played without pain,” said the hero of Inter’s 16th Scudetto, who was applauded by the Ajax fans when he came on to the pitch.

“I’m improving day after day. I had been working towards this comeback for over a week. I’m still lacking a bit of match fitness, but it all went like we hoped.

“Mourinho asked he how I felt in the last few days. He saw me doing well in training and I told him I was ready to return and that it was important for me to play. It was important to understand how the work was going and the results were positive. There’s not long to go now.”

The Swedish ace could feature in Saturday’s game against tournament hosts Ajax. “In the coming hours we will see how the knee responds but I think it will respond well so I’m hoping to play again tomorrow and then in the last friendly against Benfica,” he said.

Zlatan believes he still has a lot more to give to Inter, and says he is encouraged by the words of his new coach. “I’m very pleased about what Mourinho has said about me recently,” he added. “He has faith in me and I have faith in him. I think I can improve a lot more and I can give a lot more to him and Inter.”

Ibra has left his mark wherever he has played, and the Ajax fans haven’t forgotten their former hero. “I thank them with all my heart. The Ajax fans haven’t forgotten me, just like all the people at the club, and I haven’t forgotten them. I lived important and decisive times of my career here. My memories of Ajax and Amsterdam will stay with me for the rest of my life.”

Source: inter.it