Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Zlatan Ibrahimovic to retire from international football after Euro 2016


The 34-year-old announced his intentions at a press conference in Nice on Tuesday, a day ahead of a key Group E game against Belgium.
He said, according to the Swedish federation's website: 'Sweden's last game at the European Championship will be my last match for Sweden. I hope it will not be tomorrow.' 
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has announced he will retire from international football after the European Championship
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has announced he will retire from international football after the European Championship
The Sweden legend made his debut for his national team in 2001 and is his country's record goalscorer
The Sweden legend made his debut for his national team in 2001 and is his country's record goalscorer
Ibrahimovic captained Sweden for a number of years and popped up with some very important goals
Ibrahimovic captained Sweden for a number of years and popped up with some very important goals
The former Inter Milan and Barcelona forward scored four goals  against England in November 2012
The former Inter Milan and Barcelona forward scored four goals against England in November 2012
Ibrahimovic has not had a major impact at Euro 2016 and will hope to keep his tournament dreams alive
Ibrahimovic has not had a major impact at Euro 2016 and will hope to keep his tournament dreams aliveShare

IBRAHIMOVIC'S SWEDEN CAREER 

Debut: Sweden 0-0 Faroe Islands, Jan 2001 
Caps: 115
Goals: 62
Hat-tricks: 4 

'Let's hope it goes as long as possible.'
Even if Sweden loses and fails to qualify for the knockout stages, Ibrahimovic said he would not be disappointed with such an end to his international career.
'To finish on a disappointment, never, because I'm very proud to be captain of Sweden and what I achieved. 
'So I want to take this moment and thank all the supporters, because they make it possible for me to achieve what I have achieved,' he said. 
'For me disappointment doesn't exist, only proudness and grateful and very thankful.'
Ibrahimovic sent Sweden through to Euro 2016 with a brace against Denmark in November in the play-offs
Ibrahimovic sent Sweden through to Euro 2016 with a brace against Denmark in November in the play-offs
The 34-year-old has not scored at Euro 2016 so far and will need to deliver against Belgium on Wednesday
The 34-year-old has not scored at Euro 2016 so far and will need to deliver against Belgium on Wednesday
Ibrahimovic has represented his country at two World Cups and four European Championships since 2001
Ibrahimovic has represented his country at two World Cups and four European Championships since 2001
He added that he 'will not participate in the Olympics' in Rio de Janeiro. He had been named in a provisional Swedish squad.
Ibrahimovic is Sweden's record scorer with 62 goals and can become its joint sixth most-capped player with 116 appearances on Wednesday. Sweden, need a win against Belgium to have a chance of qualifying for the last 16 after an opening draw with Ireland and a defeat to Italy.
'Our greatest star going is a big loss,' Sweden coach Erik Hamren said. 'We have one international player that's really at the same level as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo and that's Zlatan Ibrahimovic.'
Hamren added that Ibrahimovic had discussed retirement with him in 'January or February' but that Ibrahimovic only confirmed it Tuesday.
'I think Sweden do have a bright future in football, but of course if we lose Zlatan Ibrahimovic that will be a huge loss,' Hamren said. 'As a goalscorer of course but also as an individual he has really helped Swedish football.' 


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