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

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

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 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

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

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.' 

CONGRATULATION KING JAMES AND CLEVELAND CAVALIERS FOR NBA TITTLE

Usiku wa Jumapili timu ya mchezo wa kikapu ya Lebron James, Cleveland Cavaliers ilifanikiwa kuibuka mabingwa wapya wa NBA kwenye mchezo wa fainali ya saba kwa kushinda kwa vikapu 93 dhidi ya 89 vya Golden State Warrior.

Mastaa kibao wa Marekani wameonyesha furaha yao kwa Lebron James kwa kuonesha mchango mkubwa kufanikisha Cleveland Cavaliers baada ya kutoka nyuma kwa kufungwa mechi 3-1 na mpaka kufanikiwa kuibuka mabingwa wapya kwa kushinda mechi tatu mfululizo.

Picha na ujumbe wa mastaa waliompongeza Lebron James.

Nicki Minaj

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P Diddy

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source;bongo 5

Henrikh Mkhitaryan: 'Sin' to abandon attempts of Man Utd move, says agent

Henrikh Mkhitaryan (right) joined Dortmund from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2013

The agent of Henrikh Mkhitaryan said it would be wrong to abandon attempts to get the Borussia Dortmund midfielder a move to Manchester United.

The Bundesliga club are refusing to let the 27-year-old leave following the departures of both Mats Hummels and Ilkay Gundongan this summer.

"It would be a sin to stop talking," said agent Mino Raiola.

"I am a positive guy. If I wasn't confident of reaching some kind of conclusion, I wouldn't try."

The Armenian has a year left on his contract and has told Dortmund he will not sign another deal, with United his preferred option.

Raiola added: "I am very proud Manchester United want him and the talks are being held in a good atmosphere, but at the moment Dortmund are still saying no."

New United manager Jose Mourinho is attempting to improve his squad after replacing Louis van Gaal.

He has already signed Eric Bailly from Villarreal, subject to the Ivorian being granted a work permit.

United are also expected to sign Zlatan Ibrahimovic once the Swede is freeof his international commitments at Euro 2016.

Ibrahimovic, 34, is a free agent after leaving Paris St-Germain but Raiola, who is also the agent for the Swede, says he is still to decide his future.

"Manchester United is a great club, with a great coach," said Raiola.

"But Zlatan has not yet made his choice."

Ibrahimovic has had lucrative offers from China, the United States and Europe.