• Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrates scoring AC Milan's first goal in their 4-0 Serie A thrashing of Crotone at the San Siro on February 7. Reuters
    Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrates scoring AC Milan's first goal in their 4-0 Serie A thrashing of Crotone at the San Siro on February 7. Reuters
  • Zlatan Ibrahimovic after scoring his - and AC Milan's - second goal. AFP
    Zlatan Ibrahimovic after scoring his - and AC Milan's - second goal. AFP
  • AC Milan's Ante Rebic makes it 3-0 at the San Siro. EPA
    AC Milan's Ante Rebic makes it 3-0 at the San Siro. EPA
  • Milan's Ante Rebic celebrates scoring their third goal with Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Reuters
    Milan's Ante Rebic celebrates scoring their third goal with Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Reuters
  • Zlatan Ibrahimovic scores Milan's first goal past Crotone goalkeeper Alex Cordaz. Getty
    Zlatan Ibrahimovic scores Milan's first goal past Crotone goalkeeper Alex Cordaz. Getty
  • AC Milan manager Stefano Pioli. EPA
    AC Milan manager Stefano Pioli. EPA
  • AC Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic heads at goal. AFP
    AC Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic heads at goal. AFP
  • Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic makes it 2-0. EPA
    Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic makes it 2-0. EPA
  • Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates. Reuters
    Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates. Reuters
  • Zlatan Ibrahimovic scores Milan's second goal. Reuters
    Zlatan Ibrahimovic scores Milan's second goal. Reuters
  • Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrates after scoring Milan's second goal. Getty
    Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrates after scoring Milan's second goal. Getty
  • AC Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic opens the scoring. AFP
    AC Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic opens the scoring. AFP

Zlatan Ibrahimovic recalled for Sweden's upcoming World Cup qualifiers


Steve Luckings
  • English
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Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been called up to the Sweden squad ahead of their forthcoming 2022 World Cup qualifiers, five years after retiring from international football.

The AC Milan striker, 39, scored 62 goals in 116 internationals before quitting the team following their exit at the group stage of Euro 2016.

Ibrahimovic will be in line to play in the fixtures against Georgia and Kosovo, and would appear to have made himself available for this year's rearranged European Championship.

In typical understated fashion, Ibrahimovic broke the news to the world with a post on Twitter with the message: "The return of the God."

Sweden coach Janne Andersson told reporters of his delight to welcome back the talismanic front man.

"First and foremost, he is a very good football player, the best we have had in Sweden," Andersson said. "It is of course very funny that he wants to come back.

"In addition to what he can contribute on the pitch, he has incredible experience and can contribute it to other players in the team."