Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s return to the Sweden squad for Euro 2020 at 39 years of age was to be one of the biggest sub-plots of the summer tournament, yet injury has cruelly ruled him out the veteran’s chances of participating.
In late March, it was announced that the AC Milan striker would return to the Sweden setup after a five year absence, but a recent knee injury has proven to be more serious than first thought and will need extensive therapy that will go beyond the European Championship.
“Today, Zlatan has informed Janne Andersson that his injury will stop him from participating in the European Championships this summer,” the Swedish Football Association announced.
“Get well soon Zlatan, we hope to see you on the football field again soon!”
Ibrahimovic is the Swedish national team’s all-time leading goalscorer, with 62 goals in 116 games.
“To play in the national team is the biggest thing you can do as a football player, and as I was following them, inside me I was feeling I think I can help them, I think I can do something,” Ibrahimovic said in a press conference in March.
Yet that goal will no longer be realised, and the striker will instead spend the summer recovering from his knee troubles.
Sweden are in the same Euro 2020 group as Spain, along with Poland and Slovakia.
