Milan advisor Ibrahimovic hails talent Alajbegovic: 'That is rare'
Quick summary
AC Milan senior advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic publicly praised young prospect Alajbegovic, describing the player's qualities as 'rare'.
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Attributed to original sourceRedBird chief Gerry Cardinale was at today’s Milan summit and named Massimo Calvelli new CEO, after Zlatan Ibrahimovic publicly praised target Kerim Alajbegovic. ‘That is rare.’
It was the first big meeting since the club decided on its new hierarchy, but Cardinale himself had not been expected at Casa Milan headquarters.
According to Sport Mediaset , it was attended by Cardinale, new CEO Massimo Calvelli, Director of Player Trading Hendrik Almstadt , Director of Football Intelligence Bobby Gardiner, and chief scout Donato Lomonte.
Ibrahimovic keeping eye on Milan target AC Milan senior advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic smiles prior to the Italian Serie A football match between Unione Sportiva Sassuolo and AC Milan at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia, on April 14, 2024. (Photo by Piero CRUCIATTI / AFP) (Photo by PIERO CRUCIATTI/AFP via Getty Images) RedBird Special Advisor Ibrahimovic could not participate, as he is in the USA working for Fox Sports as a television pundit during the World Cup.
However, he has been acting as a scout for Milan anyway, with his comments on the sensational goal scored by Bosnia and Herzegovina talent Alajbegovic.
“Everybody is talking about the goal, but for me the goal is not the biggest thing. The biggest thing is the courage,” said Ibrahimovic on Fox Sports.
“An 18-year-old in the World Cup, under pressure, with millions watching, and he plays like he owns the stadium. That is rare.
CARDIFF, WALES – MARCH 26: Kerim Alajbegovic of Bosnia and Herzegovina looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-off match between Wales and Bosnia and Herzegovina at Cardiff City Stadium on March 26, 2026 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images) “Many young players have talent. Talent is everywhere. But talent without personality means nothing. When I watched Kerim, I did not see a young player hoping to have a good game. I saw a player who believed he was the best player on the pitch.
“The finish was beautiful, yes. The technique was perfect, yes. But what impressed me was the confidence before the goal. The way he demanded the ball, the way he attacked the moment. Great players do not wait for opportunities. They create them,” added Ibrahimovic.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JUNE 24: Kerim Alajbegovic #19 of Bosnia and Herzegovina scores his team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group B match between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Qatar at Seattle Stadium on June 24, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) It has long been reported that Alajbegovic is eager for a Serie A move, as Bayer Leverkusen intend to sell after his impressive loan experience with RB Salzburg.
However, Roma, Napoli and Atalanta do not seem to consider him a priority at all, so it could give Milan an opportunity to swoop in.
He plays primarily on the left side of an attacking trio, so the same role as Rafael Leao, and here too they face a quandary.
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What happened
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, currently serving as a senior advisor at AC Milan, has publicly commended youth talent Alajbegovic. The former Milan striker used the word 'rare' to describe the youngster's abilities, signaling that the club's hierarchy sees significant potential in the player. While no concrete first-team promotion or transfer is implied, the high-profile endorsement from a club legend adds momentum to the player's development narrative and raises expectations around his trajectory within the academy.
Chance analysis
Ibrahimovic's public backing of a youth prospect functions as both internal motivation and an external signal of Milan's confidence in their academy pipeline. Praise from such a senior and iconic figure carries credibility and visibility that could accelerate the player's pathway toward senior minutes. The story carries no immediate tactical or selection implications for upcoming matches but reinforces a positive narrative around Milan's youth development infrastructure.
Positive morale boost for AC Milan's youth setup and the player Alajbegovic, with no immediate first-team or match-day implications.
No direct match-prediction impact; treat as background signal on Milan's youth depth.