Zlatan Ibrahimovic returns to Sweden’s squad at the age of 41
Despite being sidelined for most of the season after undergoing knee surgery, the Milan forward is included in Sweden's squad for their Euro 2024 qualifiers against Belgium and Azerbaijan.
After undergoing knee surgery last May, Zlatan returned to action against Atalanta last month. The 41-year-old striker replaced Olivier Giroud and received a standing ovation from the San Siro crowd.
Despite playing just over an hour across three games, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been included in Janne Andersson's latest Sweden squad. Speaking about his decision, Andersson said:
"Zlatan and I have been in contact throughout the period up to and including his injury.
"Now he feels good enough that he can come into the squad.
"His personality and leadership qualities are good off the pitch, but the idea is for him to come and contribute on it. Otherwise, I wouldn't have picked him."
Ibrahimovic made his last appearance for Sweden when he came off the bench against Poland in the World Cup play-offs. The Sweden boss acknowledges he is likely to play a role from the bench again.
"I don't see him as a starting player,"
he added. "
It will be more like what it has been for him in Milan, that there are opportunities for him to jump in.
"If you are at the level where you can play for Milan, you are relevant,"
he added.
"It is about his own attitude too in terms of whether he wants to continue or not. Zlatan is very eager and wants to contribute."
Zlatan is the sixth-most-capped player in Sweden history with 121 games, 27 caps behind the all-time record holder Anders Svensson.
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