Zlatan Ibrahimovic sends picture of Corona beer to former Milan CEO after testing positive

Zlatan Ibrahimovic missed AC Milan's 3-2 Europa League win over Bodo/Glimt on Thursday after he tested positive for COVID-19. Ibrahimovic's positive result came in the second round of testing after teammate Leo Duarte tested positive for the virus.

"Ibrahimovic has tested positive for Covid-19 following a second round of swab tests ahead of tonight’s game against Bodo/Glimt,” the Serie A side said in a statement. "The club has informed the relevant authorities and the player has been promptly placed in quarantine at home. All other team members and staff have tested negative.”

Also Read | Small Goal Frames Changed Before Tottenham's EL Game

The Swedish striker's first response to the news was posting a hilarious message on Twitter. The striker boldly claimed that "COVID-19 had the courage to challenge him," which was nothing but a "bad idea."

Unsurprisingly, Zlatan's post gave rise to a slew of funny reactions on social media:

Also Read | Martínez Heads Bayern Past Sevilla To Win Super Cup

Zlatan Ibrahimovic corona beer message to former AC Milan CEO

Zlatan Ibrahimovic's feisty reaction to him testing positive for coronavirus was not just restricted to social media. On Thursday, former AC Milan CEO Adriano Galliani revealed the details of the reply he got from the veteran striker when he wished him good health after the news broke. 

"Zlatan is too strong, he is truly a lion and will heal in a few days," Adriano Galliani told Sky Sports Italia. "I immediately sent him a message, he replied with ironic photos of Corona beer. Zlatan is too strong, really a lion, that's why I am in love with him."

Galliani expressed his relief that COVID-19 has so far not affected AC Milan much, but he hopes the Swede tests negative soon enough so that he can join his teammates for training sessions. "I hope it will come back negative very soon, but it is too strong physically and it will take a few days. It's supernatural, just look at it at nearly 39. Try again to bring him to Monza? Maybe. For now, I wish him all the best.'

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who re-joined AC Milan in January 2020, was in hot form as Milan ended the season on the back of some impressive results. The 38-year-old started this season with the same intensity, already scoring thrice in two games. He scored a double against Bologna last week in Milan's Serie A opener, before netting against Irish side Shamrock Rovers in the Europa League.

Also Read | Liverpool To Play Arsenal Twice Next Week After Cup Win

Also Read | Roma Legend Francesco Totti Set To Return To Club As Their New Sporting Director

(Image Credits: Zlatan Ibrahimovic Instagram)