Zlatan Ibrahimovic has warned Europe that “the legend can still deliver” as the Sweden captain prepares to make his mark on Euro 2016.
Ibrahimovic, 34, has left Paris Saint-Germain after a prolific four-year spell, and is back in the French capital for Monday’s European Championship Group E opener against the Republic of Ireland.
Sweden’s hopes of progressing from a group also containing Italy and Belgium rest largely on Ibrahimovic, who scored 11 times in the qualifying campaign.
When asked if he felt now was the time for him to dominate a major international tournament, he replied: “I have been dominating wherever I go. I have no issue about that.
“I am very confident. I go into the tournament with a strong season behind me and I am here in France, where I have been living for the last few years, to enjoy.
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“I feel I am getting better and better with every year that passes.
“What I do every day is play football. You have to have the hunger to become a better player, to learn new things and work hard on the pitch.
“If you want it you are able to do it. I know what I want and I know I am going to do it.
“The legend can still deliver.”
When announcing his departure from PSG last month, Ibrahimovic said he “came like a king, left like a legend”. He will leave as PSG’s all-time record goalscorer and 12 trophies at the Parc des Princes.
Monday’s game against Ireland will be played at the same ground where Ibrahimovic made his last appearance for PSG in their French Cup final win against Marseille three weeks ago.
He scored 50 goals in all competitions in his final campaign at PSG and, with his contract up, a move to Manchester United is on the cards.
Ibrahimovic said on Sunday that “there is nothing to say” about that possible switch, with his focus for now firmly on the Euros.
As captain of a team otherwise lacking in star quality, Ibrahimovic, set to play in his fourth European Championship, said there is great responsibility on his shoulders.
“There are many new players in the group. We always have pressure and probably I have the greatest pressure on my shoulders,” he said.
“I want to take the pressure off the team. I am used to it. I want them to enjoy it, to go out and play. That is the only thing you can do.
“There is no greater honour than playing a European Championship for your country, so I am sure all players will give 200 per cent for their country.”
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