Zlatan Ibrahimović has been recalled to Sweden’s squad for this month’s World Cup qualifiers, five years after retiring from international football.
The AC Milan striker has been included in the squad for the games against Georgia on March 25 and Kosovo three days later, as well as a friendly against Estonia on March 31.
The 39-year-old, who is the country’s record goalscorer with 62 goals in 116 caps between 2001 and 2016, will become the oldest player in the history of the Swedish national team if he plays later this month.
On the long-awaited announcement, Sweden coach Janne Andersson said: “First and foremost, he is a very good football player, the best we have had in Sweden.
“It is, of course, very fun that he wants to come back. In addition to what he can contribute on the pitch, he has incredible experience and can contribute it to other players in the team.”
The return of the God @svenskfotboll pic.twitter.com/hQThIdWRY0
— Zlatan Ibrahimović (@Ibra_official) March 16, 2021
After Ibrahimović walked away from international football following two World Cups and four European Championships after Euro 2016; Sweden reached the quarter-finals of the 2018 World Cup for their best performance in the competition since 1994, before being knocked out by England.
This timely return paves a way for Ibrahimović to appear in this summer’s rescheduled Euro 2020 campaign with Sweden in the same group as Spain, Poland, and Slovakia.
The legendary forward has been as prolific as ever for Milan this season with 16 goals in 21 appearances in all competitions to date, despite being one of the oldest players still playing in Europe’s top five major leagues.
Ibrahimović will be looking forward to an inspired return to the International fold as he aims to take a guiding role among the talented squad. Needless to say, the god of Swedish football has his eyes set on a triumphant continental campaign in the summer.
