Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic who is his country's record goalscorer with 62 national career goals has admitted that he will retire from international football at the end of Euro 2016. The controversial striker and captain of his country, now 34 years of age, has been strongly linked with a move to Manchester United this summer, with his contract at Paris Saint-Germain set to expire.
But he will draw a close to his international career in the coming weeks, also ruling out any chance he will play at the Rio Olympics in August.
But he will draw a close to his international career in the coming weeks, also ruling out any chance he will play at the Rio Olympics in August.
"I will not participate in the Olympics because my last game will be the last game in this Euro. So let's hope it goes [on] as long as possible," he said.
Ibrahimovic, a record 10-time winner of the national Guldbollen award for player of the year, said he would go out with his head held high regardless of Wednesday's result.
"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 allways bring the Swedish flag with me and stand with it. So for me disappointment doesn't exist, only proudness, and grateful. I'm very thankful. So thank you."
Sweden's coach Erik Hamren said "this will be a big loss. He is unique."
The 34-year-old is his country's record goalscorer with 62 goals and is looking to become the first player to score in four European Championship finals.
source: Telegraph
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