Ibrahimovic equals Ronaldo record to boost AC Milan's Serie A title charge

Zlatan Ibrahimovic ensured his name continues to be regarded among those in the pantheon of all-time great strikers as he equalled a staggering Cristiano Ronaldo record on Sunday.

The 40-year-old Swedish frontman is rolling back the years in Serie A with a decent return of eight goals in 13 appearances so far this term, giving him one of the best goals-per-minute ratios in the Italian top flight.

Ibrahimovic was on target again in the Rossoneri's 3-0 victory over Venezia - a result which took Stefano Pioli's side to the top of the table ahead of rivals Inter Milan's clash with Lazio.

It took just two minutes for him to find the net too, and it could barely have been any simpler for him.

HAVE YOUR SAY : Where does Ibrahimovic rank among the game's greatest players?

Milan's Theo Hernandez released teammate Rafael Leao, whose cross evaded Venezia's goalkeeper and a defender before finding its way to Ibrahimovic, who was on hand to tap the ball home from just a yard out.

It was hardly the greatest of strikes in Ibrahimovic's incredible back-catalogue - but few have been more historic.

In scoring his first ever goal vs Venezia, Ibrahimovic notched against the 80th different club of his professional career - drawing level with Manchester United superstar Ronaldo.

His tap-in put Milan on their way, and the game was as good as sewn up by the hour, after Hernandez slotted home a penalty for his second goal of the afternoon, shortly after Venezia had been reduced to 10 men.

There has been plenty of speculation surrounding Ibrahimovic's career of late, amid reports he is planning to further extend his contract at Milan beyond the end of the season.

He is currently Milan's top goalscorer and has previously spoken of his fear about retiring from the game he still loves with a passion.

"I want to play as long as possible," he told the Italian talk show Che Tempo Che Fa earlier this month. "As long as I have that adrenaline, I will continue.

"I don't know what will happen after football, so I am a little scared to stop. We'll see, but I want to continue playing so that I don't have any regrets.

"Let's put pressure on Milan here to give me an extension and I hope to stay at Milan for life," Ibrahimovic added.

"I still have objectives that I can achieve and I want to win another Scudetto."

Ibrahimovic has scored the most of his goals against Saint Etienne (17) from his time in France with PSG, but has also been prolific against Roma (13) and Palermo (12).

Since returning to Milan in January 2020, he has netted 36 goals in 64 appearances.

He did miss a penalty in the 94th minute of his last fixture vs Roma however - which Milan won 3-1 - though his reaction is an indication of his ongoing desire to succeed, even in his advanced years.

Boss Pioli revealed his player was unhappy with his missed effort, adding: "Ibrahimovic is always angry. He is always angry with someone or with himself, to always get the best of everyone."