Why is Zlatan Ibrahimovic playing for Sweden at Euro 2020?

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has had a stellar career and at 39, he keeps breaking boundaries. He has just finished a fruitful season at AC Milan which saw him score 15 goals and bag 2 assists in just 19 appearances.

Nearing the age of 40, he is not in the best shape of his career but he is still one of Sweden’s best players which brings forward the intriguing question as to why isn’t he a part of their Euro squad.

It is interesting to note that the Milan marksman is actually an active national player which means he hasn’t retired yet. He has scored 62 goals in 118 matches and is the all-time Swedish to goal scorer.

The next question which rises is whether Sweden have started to plan for life after Ibrahimovic as he will be almost 41 when the World Cup begins next year. The answer is again, no.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic last played for Sweden earlier this year and his last match for them was a 0-0 win over Kosovo in March wherein he registered an assist.

His call up in March was the first time he was a part of the Sweden squad since 2016. Following a disappointing Euro campaign in 2016, he had decided to hang up his boots but was later called up in 2021.

The reason he didn’t make the squad for the Euro 2020 despite being in good form for Milan and featuring for Sweden in the most recent international break is because he is currently injured.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic suffered a knee injury in May during Milan’s 3-0 win over Juventus which ruled him out for the season. He is expected to take a break from the Euros and be ready for the next season which makes total sense when you consider he is a few months away from being 40 years old.

In mid-May, the Swedish FA said on their Twitter account: “Today, Zlatan has informed Janne Andersson that his injury will stop him from participating in the European Championships this summer.

“Get well, Zlatan, we hope to see you on the football field again soon!”