Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s public flirtation and seeming committal to returning to the Swedish national team for the World Cup was a big tease.
Whether it’s his call or not is up for debate.
The Swedish Football Association reports that it’s spoken with Ibrahimovic and the 35-year-old LA Galaxy striker has declined the chance to return to the fold.
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Sweden’s sporting director Lars Richt says Ibrahimovic has not changed his mind on international retirement despite his own words.
Sweden’s current team may have a role in that.
We imagine Richt and Sweden may be cushioning the blow for Ibrahimovic, especially if national team goalkeeper Karl-Johan Johnsson is speaking on behalf of a team vibe when he speaks of Zlatan being “an individualist” who could ruin Sweden’s team-first concept.