Zlatan questions desire of star players making Saudi move

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has questioned players who move to Saudi Arabia, suggesting they should show more ambition.

The Swedish striker retired earlier this year after an iconic career in which he featured for several of Europe's biggest clubs as well as a stint with LA Galaxy in Major League Soccer.

And having spent the final three-and-a-half years of his career at AC Milan, the 42-year-old is pleased that he bowed out on "the big stage" rather than taking lucrative offers from elsewhere.

He told Piers Morgan Uncensored: "I had an offer from China, I had an offer also from Saudi.

"But the situation is, what do you want? What objectives do you have? Certain players need to finish their career on the big stage because that is the high end of your career.

"You have to be remembered for your talent, not for what you earned. I think certain players that reach a certain level, they have to stop at a certain stage and that's the big stage."

Ibrahimovic does not have an issue with players accepting Saudi Pro League riches on a moral basis, however.

Instead, he believes it is understandable that players make decisions to support their family.

He said: "Listen, wherever you play football, it's football. 

"But a moral thing? No. Who will judge you in five or 10 years when you have a wealthy, healthy life and have a good life?

"Nothing is for free. I don't work for free. I don't need money but I am very expensive."