Is Zlatan back? Veteran striker ‘set to return for Sweden in this month’s World Cup qualifiers’ after not playing for his national team since Euro 2016, despite AC Milan star insisting last year he wouldn’t make a comeback
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic last featured for Sweden in their Euro 2016 loss to Belgium
- But the veteran striker is reportedly now set to return after a four-year absence
- AC Milan ace Ibrahimovic will play against Georgia and Kosovo later this month
- He had claimed late last year that he wouldn’t make an international comeback
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is set to make a sensational international return for Sweden after a four-year hiatus, according to reports.
The veteran ace last played for his country at Euro 2016 and even insisted last year that he did not plan to make a return.
FotbollDirekt have claimed that Ibrahimovic will pull on Sweden’s jersey once again, however, for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is reportedly set to make a sensational international return for Sweden
Multiple sources have told the publication that the 39-year-old will feature against Georgia on March 25 and Kosovo on March 28 – as well as the friendly with Estonia.
Janne Andersson’s squad is expected to be unveiled on March 16 and it is said to be increasingly likely that Ibrahimovic will receive another call-up.
Speculation has mounted over a comeback since last autumn, with Ibrahimovic, renowned as Sweden’s greatest ever player, meeting boss Andersson in Milan.
Ibrahimovic, 39, last featured for his country at Euro 2016 and has been absent for four years
Andersson admitted in Olof Lundh’s podcast that the November summit took place, but explained the discussions only resulted in an agreement to stay in touch.
AC Milan, Ibrahimovic’s current club, are believed to have been informed of Sweden’s desire to select him later this month.
Ibrahimovic has scored 62 goals in 116 appearances for Sweden, making him the record goal scorer for his nation.
AC Milan ace Ibrahimovic will be called back up after meeting with Janne Andersson last year
It did appear as though his fairytale return to the biggest stage of them had been ruled out completely, though.
An Instagram post from Ibrahimovic showed him playing for Sweden and was captioned ‘Long time no see’.
He soon clarified that the upload was, bizarrely, an attempt to get under the skin of people in his homeland.
Ibrahimovic has been embroiled in controversy after a back-and-forth row with LeBron James
Ibrahimovic’s fine form continues to defy his advancing age, with the target man having netted 14 goals in as many games this season in Serie A for Milan.
But, having criticised the involvement of athletes in politics and activism, Ibrahimovic has recently come under scrutiny.
The forward has engaged in a disagreement with NBA legend LeBron James after warning sportspeople: ‘Just do what you do best because it doesn’t look good.’