Zlatan Ibrahimovic returns to Sweden squad five years after retiring
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been recalled to Sweden’s squad for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers – five years after retiring from international football.
The AC Milan striker has been included in the squads 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 scored a national record 62 goals in 112 games for Sweden between 2001 and 2016, will become the oldest player in the history of the Swedish national team if he plays.
The return of the God @svenskfotboll pic.twitter.com/hQThIdWRY0
— Zlatan Ibrahimović (@Ibra_official) March 16, 2021
Ibrahimovic took to social media to confirm the return, tweeting a picture with the words ‘The return of the God’.
On the 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.”
Despite Ibrahimovic walking away from international football after Euro 2016, Sweden reached the quarter-finals of the 2018 World Cup, the country’s best performance in the competition since 1994, before being knocked out by England.
Ibrahimovic’s inclusion also paves a way for the forward to appear in this summer’s continent-wide Euro 2020 campaign with Sweden in the same group as Spain, Poland, and Slovakia.
Since retiring from international duty, Ibrahimovic has been prolific in spells at Manchester United, Los Angeles Galaxy, and Milan.
He has scored 16 goals in 21 appearances for AC this season, although he has missed the team’s last four matches because of a right thigh injury – including the 1-1 Europa League first-leg draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
