Zlatan Ibrahimovic has proven to be a God of Sweden football with his stunning assist on Thursday, March 25, 2021, when his country played against Georgia in a World Cup qualification match.
The 39-year-old AC Milan striker created the only goal of the match in a godlike manner when he chested the ball and stylishly played a volley to Viktor Claesson who scored the goal.
🇸🇪 Zlatan assist pic.twitter.com/yOX1DKb753
— Milan Reports (@MilanReports) March 25, 2021
His magical touch led to the only goal of the Group B FIFA World Cup qualification match and announced his return to international football for the first time since 2016.
The assist did not only give Sweden the maximum three points, but it also placed Sweden on top of the Group B table which has a team like Spain occupying the 3rd spot.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic who initially called himself a “God” when it was announced that he has been recalled into the national team took to his Twitter page after the game to describe himself as “Carl XVII Guztaf”, which means that he is next after the reigning king of Sweden, Carl XVI Gustaf.
Carl XVII Guztaf pic.twitter.com/NlHz5fM1Qe
— Zlatan Ibrahimović (@Ibra_official) March 25, 2021
Recall that Ibrahimovic announced his retirement from international football in 2016. After his retirement, most of his critics argued that it was a blessing for other Swedish players because his retirement would give them the chance to express themselves more on the pitch.
But the fact that Zlatan Ibrahimovic has proven to be one of the hottest Swedish footballers in Europe especially since the commencement of the 2020-2021 season, left the country with no choice but to recall him.
The veteran striker has so far this season scored 15 goals in 15 Italian Serie A games. He has scored a total number of 17 goals and provided 2 assists in all competitions for AC Milan this season.
His return to Sweden’s national team and for playing on Thursday means that he is now the oldest player to ever play for the national team. His appearance against Georgia on Thursday broke the record set by the country’s retired goalkeeper, Thomas Ravelli. The goalkeeper was the oldest player to play for Sweden at age 38 years and 59 days.
After he failed to extend his record 62 goals for Sweden, Zlatan Ibrahimovic said he felt good to had contributed to the win over Georgia. He however noted that he wished he had done better in the game.
“It felt good. It felt like it was my first international match. It was a lot of adrenaline,” Ibrahimovic told Sverige Radio.
“I think I could have done a lot more, but we won the match, and that is the most important thing,” he added.
Ibrahimovic played for 84 minutes in the game before he was replaced by Robin Quaison. He is expected to lead Sweden against Kosovo on March 28 at 19:45.
