Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has been called up by Sweden for the Euro 2024 qualifying matches against Belgium and Azerbaijan, spoke today at a press conference from the Swedish national team camp. Here are his words:
On his son Maximillian, playing in the youth sector of AC Milan:
"The match at Milanello was a special and fun moment. How many people can play with their own sons at the highest level? He plays football and he's happy. He had the opportunity to play with me and the rest of the first team. He said he wanted to hurt me so I told the coach to put us on the same team (smiles)."
On returning to the national team:
"I have been in contact with coach Janne Andersson throughout the whole time, both during the injury and during the rehabilitation. Janne called me several times and asked me how the situation was, and I answered all his questions. If I feel good, I will play and if I feel good, I will be there."
Ibrahimovic on the difficult return from injury:
"The problem was that the feedback was not positive. I didn't see the light that would give me energy, that would give me answers that what I'm doing is good. But then something happened and I came out of a dark room and everything became bright and positive. It was difficult, but I had a lot of patience."
On the injury:
"The truth is that I had three operations, not one. Then I didn't get the feedback I wanted and everything became more difficult. But I was patient, I listened to the doctors. I put my fate in their hands and I followed them."
On not being included in the Champions list:
"I didn't feel good when they made the list, so it's nothing strange. Ten days later, I was reborn."
On his motivations:
"Yesterday, I told my national team colleagues that they are probably wondering what I'm still doing here. They will think I'm stupid to still be here at 41 years old to play for the national team. But then I told them to wait until they are close to the end of their careers, and then they will understand why I am still here. You don't want to stop, you want to continue."
On retirement rumours, Ibrahimovic said
"When everyone says 'enough,' it doesn't work. That's when I get a surge of adrenaline. I just want to keep going. After winning the Scudetto with Milan, I could have stopped, but it would have been too easy. It wasn't a conclusion that worked for me. I want to keep going, I want to challenge myself. I don't give up. Challenges give me adrenaline. Even you journalists, since I was young, you've written and said that I was too different, a troublemaker, egocentric. Everything. You've helped me and you're still doing it. I always have this desire inside me to show those who doubt that they are wrong."
On his hunger for glory and more playing time:
"I'm here to make a difference. If it wasn't like that, I wouldn't be here. And I don't want to talk about my age. I still have a lot to do and I want to show everyone who thought I was finished that they were wrong."
On being the oldest scorer in Serie A:
"I was celebrated for the oldest goal in Serie A with Milan, but I don't want records because I'm old. I want them because it's me, for what I do. Always these questions about my age..."
On the future:
"I have many offers. But I don't want to think about it yet because for now, I only see myself as a player. Everyone asks me how I am, but you should ask the 20-year-old guys what they think, since I am still playing with them", declared Ibrahimovic.
