Zlat is back! Ibrahimovic is named in Sweden’s squad for World Cup qualifiers

Zlatan Ibrahimovic will make his Sweden comeback this month after been named in their squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Kosovo –  five years after retiring from the national team.

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

He has flirted with a return to Sweden a number of times and opened the door to a return in a newspaper interview in November 2020. Coach Janne Andersson flew to meet him in Milan to pave the way for his comeback. 

Zlatan Ibrahimovic will return for Sweden five years after he retired from international football

He has been called up for his country’s World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Kosovo

The veteran wasted no time in hailing his comeback on social media after the announcement was made – informing fans of ‘the return of God’ in classic Ibrahimovic style. 

Speaking about Ibrahimovic’s return, Andersson said he was ‘the best we have had’.

‘First and foremost, he is a very good football player, the best we have had in Sweden,’ he told the media.

‘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.’ 

The veteran forward has been in superb form for AC Milan this term, scoring 14 times in Serie A

Sweden coach Janne Andersson said Ibrahimovic was ‘the best we have had’ after his return

Ibra is in line to feature against Georgia on March 25 and Kosovo three days later, while Sweden will also play in a friendly against Estonia on March 31.

Should his comeback go to plan then he has every chance of being named in Sweden’s squad for this summer’s Euros. The nation are set to face Spain, Poland and Slovakia in Group E. 

The former Manchester United star is enjoying a superb season with AC Milan this term despite being on the verge of turning 40 – scoring 14 goals in 14 Serie A appearances for the Italian giants so far this season.

His form has added fuel to the fire that he could be set to boost Sweden with a return ahead of the Euros, with FotbollDirekt in his home country reporting that he would be called up for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers first.

Ibrahimovic remains Sweden’s all-time leading scorer having netted 62 times in 112 appearances. Six of those goals were scored in European Championships, although he has never scored in the World Cup.