Gabor Kiraly and his pajama-style tracksuit bottoms may be shaking. The Hungarian goalkeeper had played Euro 2016 at 40 years old? Zlatan Ibrahimovic could break this record and become the oldest player to play in the final phase of the European championship, in 2024 in Germany. The AC Milan striker will then be 42 years old.
The former PSG player will already become the oldest player to play a qualifying match for a Euro, ahead of the Italian Dino Zoff, if he enters the field in the next two matches of the Swedish selection, Friday against Belgium or Monday against Azerbaijan. Austria and Estonia are also part of this group F.
“Not here out of charity”
“I’m not here out of charity. I’m here to play my match and bring results through my performance. And I hope I can continue to do so, ”assured Ibrahimovic, born October 3, 1981, this Thursday in Solna, at a press conference.
“At my age, we cannot think ‘future’ but we think ‘present’, even if I am the past, the present and the future”, launched the Swedish giant (1.95 m), whose modesty does not decrease with age. Back with his club after nine months of absence, “Ibra” already became the oldest player to score in Serie A on Saturday, converting a penalty against Udinese.
While happy with the record, Ibrahimovic said he wants to continue “to be compared to everyone else”, not just for his canonical age for a professional footballer.