Zlatan Ibrahimovic has confirmed that he will retire from international football following the conclusion of Euro 2016.
The 34-year-old has 62 goals for Sweden and could yet create another bit of history this week as he looks to become the first player to score in four European Championship tournaments.
Given the announcement, he’ll now be desperate to guide the Swedes through to the last-16 as they prepare to face Belgium on Wednesday night.
Having picked up just one point from their opening two games, Erik Hamren’s men require a positive result if they are to progress, and Ibrahimovic will undoubtedly be key in helping them achieve that.
Nevertheless, there was certainly a sense of sadness as the influential forward confirmed his decision to call time on his international career in a press conference held on Tuesday.
“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.
“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. I’m very thankful. So thank you.”
While that clears up his international future, the former AC Milan and Barcelona star has yet to confirm his club future as Manchester United continue to be linked with signing him later this summer.
It’s unlikely that any decision will be made public until after the European Championship concludes, and so that will allow Ibrahimovic to focus on the task in hand for the time being.