MILAN (AP) – In an inimitable way, AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is encouraging others on an online crusade to stick to regulations in the war against coronavirus.
Ibrahimovic, 39, the virus last month still shows no adverse effects, having scored 4 goals in 3 games since his return.
“The virus challenged me and I won. But you’re Zlatan, challenge the virus,” Ibrahimovic says in the video on his Facebook page with 26 million followers. “Use your head, follow the rules. Social distance and masks, always. We’ll win. “
The video is part of a crusade led by the Lombardy region, which has Milan as its capital, and has also been published on the region’s accounts and on social media.
“The concept of involving Ibra came to me on the night of the derby (against Inter Milan),” said Attilio Fontana, the governor of Lombardy. “Zlatan returned to the field after recovering and at that moment I think he may have helped us send a vital message.
“He accepted the proposal, appearing to be a wonderful sensibility and an absolute will, and I thank him. “
Ibrahimovic organized an online fundraiser in March for hospitals at the centre of the epidemic in Italy.
The number of cases of the virus has increased in Italy and Lombardy, the region of the country most affected by the pandemic. Italy reached a new record of nearly 25,000 cases of coronavirus and added 205 deaths wednesday.
Other national restrictions were introduced this week, while Milan is one of the cities that has also imposed a curfew at night.
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