Sweden’s superstar striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic announced yesterday he will retire from international football after Euro 2016. “The last game with Sweden in the Euro will be my last game with Sweden. So I hope it won’t be tomorrow,” Ibrahimovic, 34, told a press conference ahead of today’s final Group E game against Belgium in Nice.
He ruled out any chance of playing at the Rio Olympics in August. Sweden’s coach Erik Hamren said “this will be a big loss. He is unique. In my eyes we have a world-class player in Sweden. Zlatan is just like (Lionel) Messi and (Cristiano) Ronaldo,” added Hamren.
Sweden’s record goalscorer with 62 goals, Ibrahimovic is looking to become the first player to score in four European Championship finals. Sweden must beat Belgium to stand a chance of advancing to the last 16. “I will not participate in the Olympics because my last game will be the last game Sweden does in this Euro. So let’s hope it goes as long as possible,” he said.
Ibrahimovic, a record 10-time winner of the national Guldbollen award for player of the year, said he would go out with his head held high regardless of today’s result. “To finish in a disappointment, never.
Because I’m very proud to be the captain of Sweden and of what I’ve achieved. I want to take this moment and thank all the supporters because they made it possible for me to achieve what I have achieved. Without them it would not have been possible.
“So wherever I go, wherever I come, I’ll always bring the Swedish flag with me and stand with it. So for me disappointment doesn’t exist, only proudness, and grateful. I’m very thankful. So thank you.”
Ibrahimovic is leaving Paris Saint-Germain after four seasons, but is yet to commit to a new club, although Manchester United are rumoured to be favourites to seal his signing.
The Swede has almost guaranteed success wherever he he played with league titles in the Netherlands, Italy, Spain and France.
However, the Champions League has proved frustratingly out of reach. Ibrahimovic made his international debut against the Faroe Islands in January 2001, but he has been unable to fire Sweden beyond the quarter-finals of a major tournament.
The striker missed a penalty in a shootout defeat to the Dutch at Euro 2004 with subsequent appearances at the European Championship ending in the group stage. ‘Ibra’ has featured at just one World Cup, in 2006, and famously said the 2014 showpiece in Brazil would “not be worth watching” after Sweden lost to Portugal in a two-legged play-off.

Belgium hoping to push
Ibrahimovic off the stage
Meanwhile, Belgium have no room for sentiment and are hoping that Ibrahimovic will play his last game for Sweden today. For their own part, Belgium need a draw to guarantee a top-two finish in Group E behind Italy. “I have lots of respect for zlatan as a player but hopefully it will be his last game tomorrow for Sweden,” Belgium defender Jan Vertonghen told reporters.
“He’s had a big career but I am going to be selfish tomorrow. It’s the last chance for Sweden as well, so hopefully they will try everything and that might be to our advantage.”
Belgium coach Marc Wilmots remembered his own final international match, against Brazil in the 2002 World Cup, as he warned how it would galvanise Ibrahimovic who has had a disappointing tournament so far.
“I can talk about my own experience,” said Wilmots, who won 70 caps as an attacking midfielder.
“Before the World Cup, I had announced it would be my last for Belgium. I was sprinting with 10 minutes to go against Brazil because you want to try and end on a positive chapter. It’s great that we know that he is retiring because we know he’s going to go all the way.”