Barely back with AC Milan, Zlatan Ibrahimovic was called up on Wednesday with Sweden for the Euro 2024 qualifying matches against Belgium and Azerbaijan at the end of March. If he comes into play, he could, at 41 years and five months, break the longevity record of legendary Italian goalkeeper Dino Zoff, who played his last match against… Sweden, on May 29, 1983, at 41 years old, three month and a day.
Operated on his left knee in May, the former PSG striker only found the group last month. He has since participated in three match ends. Enough, for coach Janne Andersson. “Zlatan feels in decent shape even though he has been absent for a long time, commented the latter in the press release announcing the Swedish selection. I think he can bring something. Especially on the pitch, but also off it. »
Dethrone Gabor Kiraly in 2024
Ibra, 121 caps, had emerged from a long five-year international retirement in 2021, but had failed with his teammates to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar, with elimination in the play-offs. Despite this failure, he had shown his wish to continue as long as possible in selection.
If Sweden qualified for the next Euro in Germany, and if Zlatan played a match there, he would become the oldest player to play in a European finals. The record is currently held by Hungarian goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly, who played at Euro 2016 aged 40 years and 86 days, according to UEFA.