Ibrahimovic called up to Sweden squad at age of 41

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Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been called up to the Sweden national team for their upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Belgium and Azerbaijan, despite making just three appearances this season.

The 41-year-old has had an injury-hit campaign after recovering from knee surgery last May.

But the veteran striker is set to return to the national team for their fixtures this month, where he could make his first international appearance since featuring in the 2-0 defeat to Poland in March last year.

Sweden manager Janne Andersson said on Ibrahimovic’s return: “Zlatan has made three slightly longer appearances now in (AC) Milan and feels alert and in decent shape even though he has been away for a while.

“So from that perspective, I think he can add (to the team). Above all on the field, but also on the side of the field.”

Ibrahimovic, who made his international debut in January 2001, has featured 121 times for his country.

The forward is also Sweden’s top goalscorer with 62 goals and is sixth on the list of all-time appearances for the national team.

He has however only played 68 minutes of competitive action across his three appearances in Serie A this season, coming off the bench during games against Atalanta, Fiorentina and Salernitana.

Sweden will face Belgium on March 24 and Azerbaijan on March 27, with both games being played at Friends Arena. 

Sweden squad for Euro 2024 qualifiers against Belgium and Azerbaijan

Goalkeepers: Viktor Johansson, Kristoffer Nordfeldt, Robin Olsen.

Defenders: Joel Andersson, Ludwig Augustinsson, Hjalmar Ekdal, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Isak Hien, Emil Holm, Edvin Kurtulus, Victor Lindelof, Carl Starfelt.

Midfielders: Albin Ekdal, Emil Forsberg, Samuel Gustafson, Jesper Karlstrom, Kristoffer Olsson, Mattias Svanberg.

Forwards: Anthony Elanga, Viktor Gyokeres, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Alexander Isak, Jesper Karlsson, Dejan Kulusevski, Robin Quaison, Viktor Claesson.

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(Photo: Getty Images)

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