Zlatan Ibrahimovic's son could lift a trophy for AC Milan at Super Cup

MILAN (AP) — An Ibrahimovic could be lifting a trophy for AC Milan on Monday.

The talismanic Zlatan Ibrahimovic hasn’t come out of retirement but his 19-year-old son, Maximilian, has been called up by Milan for the Italian Super Cup.

Maximilian Ibrahimovic is one of six players from Milan’s reserve team who traveled to Saudi Arabia with the senior squad amid an ever lengthening injury list for the club.

His father scored 93 goals in 163 appearances over two spells at Milan, winning two Serie A titles and the Italian Super Cup.

The younger Ibrahimovic could make his debut in one of the Rossoneri's two matches in Saudi Arabia.

“They have good skills,” Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri said on Wednesday. “I wanted to reward them for what they are doing in training.”

Milan, the Italian Cup runner-up, faces Serie A champion Napoli on Thursday. Italian Cup winner Bologna plays Serie A runner-up Inter Milan the following day, with the final on Monday.

Out of the four teams, only Inter won at the weekend, beating Genoa to go top of Serie A after Milan and Napoli both dropped points.

Milan was held to a 2-2 draw by Sassuolo — the third promoted team it has failed to beat this season, after a shock defeat at home to Cremonese on the opening day and a draw against Pisa.

“We should be angry but not demoralized,” Allegri said.

Milan managed to end the round in second place, a point below Inter and a one above Napoli, which lost at Udinese. Bologna lost at home to Juventus.

Despite its struggles against the promoted clubs, Milan has managed to beat the other teams in the top four this season, including Napoli.

“Tomorrow is a different match, it’s a knockout game where the aim is to get to the final,” Allegri said. “Napoli is a very strong team and they will be angry after the loss to Udinese.

“When there are difficult moments, (Napoli coach) Antonio Conte always manages to get the best out of his teams.”

Milan won the Italian Super Cup for the eighth time last season, beating Inter in the final to end a run of three straight titles for the Nerazzurri.

Napoli has won the competition twice — in 1990 and 2014. Bologna, which ended a 51-year wait for a major trophy with the Italian Cup, has never lifted the Super Cup.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Inter Milan's head coach Cristian Chivu gestures during a Champions League, league phase, soccer match between Inter Milan and Liverpool in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Dec.9, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Inter's Lautaro Martinez celebrates after scoring a goal, during the Serie A soccer match between Genoa and Inter, in Genoa, Italy, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (Tano Pecoraro/LaPresse via AP)

Napoli's head coach Antonio Conte shouts during a Champions League opening phase soccer match between SL Benfica and Napoli in Lisbon, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

AC Milan players greet fans at the end of the Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Sassuolo, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

AC Milan's head coach Massimiliano Allegri leaves the field after the Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Sassuolo, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz is parting ways with his longtime coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, the man who guided him to the pinnacle of men’s tennis during a remarkably successful seven-year partnership.

Alcaraz announced the decision to end their collaboration on Wednesday in a message on his social networks. Ferrero, in a separate statement, thanked his protege and said he wished he “could have continued.”

With Ferrero, who coached the Spaniard since he was 15 years old, Alcaraz claimed six Grand Slams: two French Open titles, two Wimbledon crowns and two US Opens. He amassed 24 tour-level titles, including eight Masters 1000 trophies.

“After more than seven years together, Juanki and I have decided to bring our chapter together as coach and player to an end,” the 22-year-old Alcaraz wrote. “Thank you for turning childhood dreams into reality. We started this journey when I was barely a kid, and throughout all this time you’ve accompanied me on an incredible journey, on and off the court. I’ve enjoyed every single step with you immensely.”

With Ferrero, Alcaraz became the youngest player to reach No. 1 in the ATP rankings after winning the U.S. Open in 2022 at 19.

“Today is a difficult day,” Ferrero said. “One of those when it’s hard to find the right words. Saying goodbye is never easy, especially when there are so many shared experiences behind it. We have worked hard, grown together, and shared unforgettable moments.”

Alcaraz did not say whether he would hire a new coach as a replacement. Last year, Alcaraz hired Samuel Lopez to work alongside Ferrero.

Earlier this month, Ferrero and Lopez were named coaches of the year in the ATP awards after helping Alcazar reclaim the No. 1 spot. In yet another prolific season, Alcazar won a career-best and season-leading 71 matches wins and finished with eight titles, including trophies at Roland-Garros and the US Open.

“We have been an incredible team despite the difficulties, and I am sure you will continue to achieve great success,” Ferrero said. "I wish I could have continued. I am convinced that good memories and good people always find a way to cross paths again. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."

AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

Carlos Alcaraz reacts after winning the first set against Joao Fonseca during the Miami Tennis Invitational tournament, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)