Milan forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic said he wasn’t re-called to the Swedish national team due to his name but ‘because I deserved it’.
The Rossoneri veteran has turned 39 and has not played for Sweden since 2016, but this week he was called up by CT Janne Andersson for the World Cup qualifiers this month.
The coach confirmed he has planned for Ibrahimovic to be included in the European Championship this summer too.
Milan forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic said he wasn’t re-called to the Swedish national team due to his name but ‘because I deserved it’.
The Rossoneri veteran has turned 39 and has not played for Sweden since 2016, but this week he was called up by CT Janne Andersson for the World Cup qualifiers this month.
The coach confirmed he has planned for Ibrahimovic to be included in the European Championship this summer too.
“I don’t want to be considered and called up for what I did before, but for what I can give now,” Zlatan told the Swedish Football Association’s official YouTube channel.
“I can’t be the player I was five, 10, 15 or 20 yeas ago. Now, I have a completely different physique and a completely different game.
“But I keep a very high level. You don’t have to worry. I’m not on the squad list because my name is Zlatan and I’m Ibrahimovic.
“It’s because of what I add to the squad and what I have achieved. I think I deserve it.”