Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes leaving Milan after last season’s title win would have been ‘too easy’ and feels facing Romelu Lukaku’s Belgium won’t be special.
The 41-year-old has returned to his national team for the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifying fixtures against Belgium and Azerbaijan.
On Sunday, Ibrahimovic became the oldest goalscorer in Serie A’s history, finding the net from the spot in a 3-1 loss against Udinese at the Dacia Arena.
A lot of questions at a Sweden press conference on Tuesday concerned his age and how it feels to be in the national team in his 40s.
He was also asked why he didn’t leave Milan after winning the first title for the Rossoneri in 11 years last seasn.
“Leaving Milan after the title would have been too easy,” he said as quoted by Calciomercato.com.
“It was not an end that would have suited me. I am here to make the difference, if not I wouldn’t be here. I don’t want to talk about my age, I have a lot to show to prove to those who thought I was finished that they were wrong.
“I had three surgeries in 14 months, but there was a moment when the knee was not improving. I was in the tunnel and could not see the light at the end of it, but luckily things have improved,” he continued.
“I never give up. Challenges give me adrenaline. You journalists also helped me at the beginning of my career. When I was young, you would write that I was different, egocentric and a troublemaker. You’ve helped me along the way.
“I was celebrated for being the oldest goalscorer in Serie A, but I don’t want records because I am old, I want them because I am myself.
“I was having dinner with the team yesterday and told them [his teammates]: ‘You think I am dumb, what am I doing here at my age?’ But you’ll see that time flies and when you’re close to 40, you’ll be afraid of quitting football. You will almost panic, so enjoy what you have now.”
Speaking generally about Sweden’s qualifying group, Ibra said: “We are a good team, in a tough group” while Friday’s match against Lukaku’s Belgium will be “a normal game.”
Ibra and Big Rom clashed in a Coppa Italia quarter-final between Inter and Milan in January 2021.
Ibrahimovic concluded the press conference by talking about his future. Does he think he will still be playing at Euro 2024?
“It’s too early to say. I try to live day by day, living the present, even if I am everything. Present, past and future,” he said.
“I have many offers, but I don’t want to think about it. I see myself as a footballer. Everyone’s asking me how I feel, but you should ask some 20-year-old players what they think given that I am still playing with them.”