ionigeria.com Nigerian Newspaper
Sweden’s record goalscorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been recalled to the national team, five years after announcing his retirement.
The 39-year-old scored 62 goals in 116 internationals before quitting after the team’s Euro 2016 group stage exit.
Ibrahimovic has 14 goals in 14 Serie A appearances for AC Milan this season.
Sweden faces Georgia on Thursday, 25 March before playing Kosovo three days later in their opening two 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
Zlatan has responded to Sweden’s announcement of their squad by tweeting: “The return of the God.”
The 6ft 5in striker made his international debut as a 19-year-old against the Faroe Islands and went on to score in his first competitive match – a qualifier for the 2002 World Cup against Azerbaijan.
He was also appointed captain for Euro 2012 qualifying, before he scored one of the best goals of the finals with a volley in a 2-0 win over France, although Sweden was eliminated at the group stage.
The former Barcelona, Paris St-German, Manchester United, and LA Galaxy striker rejoined AC Milan on a six-month deal – with the option for another season – in January 2020.
Ibrahimovic scored 29 goals in 53 games for United, who agreed to an early termination of his contact, before he joined MLS side Galaxy in 2018.
