The Sweden national team coach, Janne Andersson, has indicated that Zlatan Ibrahimovic could be in line for a call-up for their upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Belgium and Azerbaijan.
The qualifiers fall almost exactly a year after Ibrahimovic’s last appearance for his national side, which came against Poland in the World Cup qualification play-off against Poland on March 29, 2022.
Ibrahimovic had previously announced that he was retiring from international duty after Euro 2016, although after an almost five-year absence, he turned out for Sweden again in 2021 in their 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign.
Asked about the possibility of yet another Ibrahimovic comeback to the national team, Andersson was coy with his response, replying: “You’ll see on Wednesday whether he’s there or not.
He continued: “I’ve already said that if Zlatan is fit and healthy, even though he might not be able to start, from the influence he has had in matches and what he has shown in terms of commitment and leadership, I think he can still give a lot.”
With 62 goals from 121 caps, Ibrahimovic is Sweden’s all-time leading goalscorer by a margin of 19.
Despite his lack of minutes on the pitch over this season following the surgery on his knee over the summer, Ibrahimovic continued to be influential behind the scenes in the Milan dressing room.
Andersson hopes that if he were to return to the Swedish national set-up, he might be able to replicate some of the leadership qualities he has shown with the Rossoneri this year.
“A bit like in Milan,” he said, “even if he plays little, I think he is giving a lot,”
Andersson’s squad announcement for the upcoming qualifiers is expected to be announced on Wednesday afternoon.