VETERAN Swedish star Zlatan Ibrahimovic said he “felt alive” as he marked his first start back at AC Milan by scoring in a 2-0 win over Cagliari on Saturday, as Ciro Immobile struck for Lazio against Napoli to stretch his title-chasing team’s winning streak to 10 games.

The 38-year-old Ibrahimovic had come on as a substitute in the goalless draw against Sampdoria last weekend, days after his return to Italy.

But he played the entire match in Sardinia scoring after 64 minutes for his first Milan goal since leaving the club for Paris Saint-Germain eight years ago.

“I’ll celebrate like a God at San Siro, not here,” he said.

Portuguese forward Rafael Leao, 20, had struck the opener just after the break as Milan got their first win since a 3-2 victory over Bologna on Dec. 8.

Since then Stefano Pioli’s side have settled for two goalless draws and suffered a humiliating 5-0 defeat by Atalanta.

Milan moved up to eighth in the table, 10 points off the Champions League berths.

“The important thing is that I feel good,” continued Ibrahimovic, who left MLS side Los Angeles Galaxy last October.

“I missed a few balls at the beginning of the game, but I need to play games to get back in shape.”

“I feel good, the coach just wanted to think about my age and see if I needed a rest, but there’s no problem,” continued Ibrahimovic, who did not want to be substituted and played the entire game.

“My brain is always the same and the body has to follow.”

It was his 57th goal for the club and 123rd in Serie A, having also played for Inter Milan and Juventus.

Cagliari, who unveiled the club’s new jersey to mark their 100th anniversary this year, fell to their fourth consecutive defeat, but remained sixth.

Ibrahimovic has a six-month contract with an option for another season. He helped the club win their 18th and most recent Serie A title in 2011.

(SD-Agencies)