Zlatan Ibrahimović will not play for Sweden at this summer’s rearranged Euro 2020 tournament following injury. According to Fabrizio Romano, the decision was taken following the news that the AC Milan striker needs therapy to aid his recovery from a knee injury that will keep him out of the competition.
The news will come as a huge blow to the 39-year-old, who reversed his retirement from international football earlier this year with a view towards helping his country impress at upcoming major tournaments.
Zlatan Ibrahimović Out of European Championships
Ibrahimović Needs Lengthy Treatment on Knee Injury
Ibrahimović picked up a knee injury during his side’s recent 3-0 win over Juventus in Serie A. It was initially feared that the former Manchester United striker had suffered cruciate ligament damage.
While this is not the case, the veteran is still set to undergo a lengthy period of treatment – thought to take a minimum of six weeks – in order to return to full fitness.
His ability to play for his country this summer was subsequently thrown into doubt, until Sweden decided not to risk forcing Ibrahimović to rush his recovery and pulled the plug on his involvement with the national team for the time being.
The striker retired from international football following Euro 2016, but returned to the fold five years later and registered an assist in his first game back in March in a 1-0 win over Georgia.
Why Ibrahimović Will Not Retire From International Football Through Injury
Many will speculate as to whether this injury will force Ibrahimović to retire from international football for a second time. This is highly unlikely to be the case, though, for two primary reasons.
Firstly, the injury is not as serious as was initially feared. Ibrahimović suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury while playing for Manchester United in 2017 and made a full recovery, and will be impatient to come back from this one at the right time.
Secondly, the striker still has unfinished business at World Cup finals, having failed to score for Sweden in the 2002 and 2006 editions of the tournament.
“I can’t have that on zero,” Ibrahimović said of his record at World Cups. He will therefore want to keep playing and be available for next year’s tournament in Qatar.
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