FIFA 23: Zlatan Ibrahimovic End of an Era card INBOUND

After a long and illustrious career, legendary striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 41.

"I say goodbye to football but not to you," the Swede told the San Siro crowd after Sunday's last game of the season.

So, one of the modern era's most talisman figures is hanging up his boots with immediate effect, which means this will be his last appearance in a FIFA title as a current player.

Given this is the last time we will see Zlatan as a current player in FIFA, EA is surely set to hand the footballing icon a special End of an Era (EOAE) SBC card in Ultimate Team.

All Time Great

'Ibra' started his professional career with hometown side Malmo FF in 1999 before moving to Ajax in 2001 for a three-year spell in which he won three league titles.

Zlatan then made a switch to Italy in 2004 with Juventus, where he won two league titles. The Swede then won three more Serie A titles with Inter Milan, before a move to Barcelona in 2009.

Ibrahimovic spent only one season at the Catalan club, winning a La Liga title before being loaned to AC Milan, a move which was made permanent in 2011.

The number nine then moved to Ligue 1 side Paris St-Germain, where he scored 113 goals in 122 league appearances and won four Ligue 1 trophies.

In July 2016, he signed for Manchester United where he won the League Cup and the Europa League in his two years spent at the club.

All in all, Ibra won 34 trophies in his career including 14 league titles.

The striker also retires as Sweden's all-time top scorer with 62 international goals in 122 matches and was nominated for the Ballon d'Or 11 times.

The Final Farewell

Ibrahimovic featured on only four occasions for AC Milan this season, starting just one game in the Serie A and scoring one goal.

Following a bout of injuries and with his contract set to expire at the end of the month, Zlatan announced his retirement from football in front of his home fans at the San Siro on Sunday.

"There are too many emotions for me right now. Forza Milan and goodbye," an emotional Ibrahimovic said, holding back tears.

"The first time I came here you gave me happiness, the second time you gave me love.

"You welcomed me with open arms, you made me feel at home, I will be a Milanista for the rest of my life."

There is no doubt in our minds that Ibrahimovic will be getting an End of an Era SBC card in FIFA 23 Ultimate Team.

End of an Era Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Given how many top-tier items are now in FUT 23 following the Team of the Season (TOTS) promo, we expect Zlatan's special item to be bumped up to 95 OVR.

Ibra's End of an Era card could boast some astonishing stats including 96 Shooting, 95 Physicality, 94 Pace and 93 Dribbling.

The striker will also retain the five-star skill moves from his FIFA 23 base item, with a boost to a five-star weak foot potentially on the cards too.

We expect EA to price this SBC at roughly 450,000 coins on the PlayStation and Xbox market.

Zlatan's EOAE card could be one of the most overpowered strikers in the game and depending on the price, could be another must-complete SBC for FIFA 23 users.