Experienced Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic said Tuesday he hopes to take part in the 2024 European Championship in Germany, making him, at 42, the oldest player ever to play in a continental tournament.
“If I feel good and the coach chooses me, I will help him, the team and the country and do my best,” Ibrahimovic said at a press conference on his return to the Nordic team. after a long absence due to injury.
If the striker, born on 3 October 1981 (aged 41) in Malmö, is used in the next two games for Sweden, against Belgium on Friday and Azerbaijan next Monday, he will become the oldest player to play in a European Championship qualifier, breaking the record of the former Italian goalkeeper Dino Zoff.
“At my age, we can’t think about the future, but we think about the present, even if I am the past, present and future,” said the Swedish “giant” (1.95 meters), known for his narcissistic statements.
The Swedish star, who returned to action at Italian club Milan after a long absence due to a knee injury, became the oldest player to score in Serie A this weekend, scoring against the Rossoneri in a 3-1 loss to Udinese. ).
Satisfied with the record, Ibrahimovic said he wanted to continue to “compare with everyone else”, and not just because of his age, which is unusually prone for a top professional player.
“I’m not here for charity. I’m here to play my game and bring results through my performances in 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016.
If he plays Euro 2024 in Germany from 14 June to 14 July 2024, Zlatan will set a new longevity record currently held by Hungarian goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly, who played at Euro 2016 after turning 40.
In qualifying for the next European Championship, Sweden will face Belgium, Azerbaijan, Austria and Estonia as Group F opponents, with only the top two advancing directly to the finals.
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
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