In his own inimitable way AC Milan forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic is encouraging people in an online campaign to follow the rules in the battle against the coronavirus.

The 39-year-old contracted the virus last month but is showing no ill effects, having scored four goals in the three matches since his return. “The virus has challenged me and I won. But you are not Zlatan, do not challenge the virus,” Ibrahimovic says in the video on his Facebook page with 26 million followers. “Use your head, respect the rules. Social distance and masks, always. We will win.”

The video is part of a campaign by the region of Lombardy, which has Milan as its capital. It was also posted on the region’s website and social media accounts.

“The idea of involving Ibra came to me the night of the Derby (against Inter Milan),” said Attilio Fontana, the governor of Lombardy.

Ibrahimovic set up an online fundraiser in March to help hospitals at the centre of the outbreak in Italy. There has been a surge in the number in Italy and Lombardy.

Italy reached a daily record of nearly 25,000 confirmed Covid-19 cases and added 205 deaths on Wednesday.