Gerry Cardinale and Zlatan Ibrahimović outline AC Milan strategy at WSJ Sports Event

Gerry Cardinale Zlatan Ibrahimović AC Milan RedBird WSJ Sports Event

On 16 July 2026, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Senior Advisor of the RedBird investment fund, and AC Milan owner Gerry Cardinale appeared together at the Wall Street Journal’s WSJ Sports Event in the United States. Both discussed the club’s future, the cultural transformation they are pursuing, and Ibrahimović’s advisory role.

Ibrahimović said the club’s fans view Milan as their own identity and stressed the need to blend business acumen with the “religious” passion Europeans have for football. He expressed confidence that Cardinale will succeed, stating “I am sure 100 % that he will succeed” and joking that Cardinale promised to make him a billionaire.

Cardinale highlighted Ibrahimović’s integrity and leadership, noting that the former striker helps the ownership navigate the complex football ecosystem and advises on decision‑making. He described the club’s new cultural goal as “play to win, not to avoid losing.” Ibrahimović added that staying calm and avoiding emotional decisions is a key lesson he imparts to Cardinale as the owner learns the particularities of Italian football.

Entities

AC Milan · Gerry Cardinale · RedBird · RedBird Capital Partners · Wall Street Journal · Zlatan Ibrahimović

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] Ibrahimović advises Cardinale to stay calm and avoid emotional decisions. www.spaziomilan.it
[● 2 SOURCES] The WSJ Sports Event was organized by the Wall Street Journal on 16 July 2026 in the United States. milanreports.com · www.milanpress.it
[● 3 SOURCES] Ibrahimović said he is sure 100 % that Cardinale will succeed. www.milanpress.it · milanreports.com · www.spaziomilan.it
[● 2 SOURCES] Ibrahimović helps Cardinale navigate football decisions and cultural change at Milan. www.milannews24.com · www.spaziocalcio.it
[● 2 SOURCES] Ibrahimović joked that Cardinale promised to make him a billionaire. www.milanpress.it · milanreports.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Cardinale wants to change Milan’s club culture to ‘play to win, not to avoid losing.’ www.spaziocalcio.it
[● 2 SOURCES] Zlatan Ibrahimović is Senior Advisor of the RedBird investment fund. www.milanpress.it · milanreports.com
[● 3 SOURCES] AC Milan is owned by Gerry Cardinale through the RedBird fund. www.milannews24.com · www.spaziocalcio.it · www.spaziomilan.it