STOCKHOLM, 21 Mar: Retirement didn’t enter the thoughts of Zlatan Ibrahimovic while he was sidelined for eight months with a swollen left knee following surgery.
But his condition certainly had the Swedish soccer great worried.
“I didn’t come into a situation where I said, ‘Stop,’” Ibrahimovic said Tuesday. “I was more (thinking) it was hopeless. Whatever I did, I didn’t get positive feedback. I tried everything.”
Indeed, the AC Milan striker’s main priority quickly became simply getting back to normal health, rather than to a level required to maintain his trophy-laden soccer career.
That Ibrahimovic is back and in a position, at the age of 41, to play for his country in a European Champion-ship qualifier is testament to his self-belief and resilience.
On Saturday, he became the oldest scorer in Serie A history and now he’s hoping to be picked for Sweden’s match against Belgium on Friday for his first national team appearance in nearly a year.
“I’m not there (at Milan) or here for charity,” Ibrahimovic said at a news conference at Sweden’s training base. “I’m here to play my game, to provide, and bring results through my performances.
“So hopefully I can continue to do that, and at the same time feel healthy.”
Given Ibrahimovic’s recent period of inactivity — the game against Udinese over the weekend marked his first start since January of last year, having had his knee operation in May — he is not prepared to discuss how long he has left in his playing career.
He certainly isn’t thinking about Euro 2024 in Germany.
“I take it day by day,” Ibrahimovic said. “If I feel good and I’m selected by the coach, I will help him, the team and the country to do my best. (AP)