Hammer blow for Sweden as Ibrahimovic ruled out of Euros

May 15, 2021 c_admin Football News Comments Off on Hammer blow for Sweden as Ibrahimovic ruled out of Euros


By Conor Laird


Published: May 15, 2021 3:35 pm

Last Updated: May 15, 2021 3:39 pm

Hammer blow for Sweden as Zlatan Ibrahimovic ruled out of European Championships

 

Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will play no part at the European Championships this summer, after picking up a knee injury.

Zlatan returns

One of the major talking points of the latest international break of course surrounded Ibrahimovic’s return.

The veteran hitman had not lined out for his country for almost 5 years, since announcing his retirement from international football on the back of Euro 2016.

With Sweden having booked their spot at this summer’s European Championships, though, murmurs quickly began to spread that Ibra could reverse his decision, to pull on the blue and yellow for one final tournament.

This came with the former Manchester United man having enjoyed a fine campaign to that point, which had seen him notch 15 goals in 15 Serie A appearances.

In turn, in March, the news was finally made official.

Ibrahimovic announced his return to the international stage, to link up with Janne Andersson’s squad for the Euros.

‘Prevent his participation’

Ibra subsequently went on to bag assists in back to back World Cup qualifying meetings with Georgia and Kosovo in late March, boding well ahead of this summer’s highly anticipated tournament.

But, as outlined above, with less than a month to go before the European Championships get underway, the AC Milan star, and Sweden, have been dealt a hammer blow.

Ibrahimovic was forced to limp out of the Rossoneri’s 3-0 victory over Juventus last weekend, after picking up a knee injury.

And the issue has since proven to be more serious than was first thought.

Speaking in a press conference this afternoon, Sweden boss Janne Andersson confirmed that his veteran hitman has made himself unavailable for selection for the Euros, ahead of a lengthy spell on the sidelines:

‘I spoke to Zlatan Ibrahimovic today, who unfortunately told me his injury will prevent his participation in the European Championship this summer.’

‘Of course it is sad, especially for Zlatan, but for us too. I hope that he is back on the pitch again as soon as possible.’

 

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