Legends are eternal or almost, and Zlatan much more… At 41, Swedish star Zlatan Ibrahimovic was called up this Wednesday for the Euro 2024 qualifying matches against Belgium and Azerbaijan at the end of March. where he could break an unofficial longevity record of another legend, Italian goalkeeper Dino Zoff.
If he enters the lawn of the national stadium in Stockholm on March 24 against the Red Devils or on March 27 against the Azeris, the whimsical striker will become the oldest player to play in a qualifying match for a European championship.
Returning from injury, the AC Milan player would erase tablets Dino Zoff, who had played against … Sweden on May 29, 1983, at 41 years, three months and a day.
“Zlatan has made three fairly long substitutions with Milan recently and feels in decent form despite being out for a long time,” coach Janne Andersson said in the statement announcing the Swedish selection.
The oldest player of a Euro next year?
“In this context, I think he can bring something. Particularly on the lawn, but also outside, ”said the Scandinavian coach. “Ibra”, born on October 3, 1981, will be 41 years old, five months and 21 days old during Sweden-Belgium played at the Friends Arena in Solna.
The native of Malmö had come out of a long five-year international retirement in 2021, but had failed with his teammates to qualify for the Qatari World Cup, with elimination in the play-offs.
Despite this failure, he had shown his wish to continue as long as possible in selection.
If Sweden qualified for the next Euro in Germany, and if Zlatan played a match there, he would become by far the oldest player to play in a European finals.
The record is currently held by Hungarian goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly, who played at Euro 2016 aged 40 years and 86 days, according to UEFA.