After Miracle of Milan, could Zlatan return?

After Miracle of Milan, could Zlatan return?

After Sweden’s “Miracle of Milan” booked them a berth at the World Cup finals and sent Italy crashing out, could Zlatan Ibrahimovic be set for a return from international retirement?

In the minutes after the Swedes hung on for a goalless draw on Monday that secured one of the big World Cup upsets, Ibrahimovic wrote “We are Zweden” on Instagram next to a photo of the delighted team, deliberately adding the ‘Z’ of his name to his country’s.

The Manchester United striker, who retired from the national team in 2016, was among the crowd in the San Siro to cheer on his former Sweden teammates.

Swedish national football team's head coach Janne Andersson speaks during a press conference on November 9, 2017 in Solna on the eve of the FIFA World Cup 2018 qualification football match between Sweden and Italy.  / AFP PHOTO / Jonathan NACKSTRAND
Swedish national football team’s head coach Janne Andersson speaks during a press conference on November 9, 2017 in Solna on the eve of the FIFA World Cup 2018 qualification football match between Sweden and Italy. / AFP PHOTO / Jonathan NACKSTRAND

In the post-match press conference, coach Janne Andersson was irritated by reporters’ focus on whether their veteran former star could again pull on the yellow jersey at the finals in Russia next year.

“This is incredible. This player stopped playing with Sweden a year and a half ago and we are still talking about him,” Andersson told reporters.

Sweden forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic watch from the stand during the FIFA World Cup 2018 qualification football match between Sweden and Italy in Solna,Sweden on November 10, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Jonathan NACKSTRAND
Sweden forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic watch from the stand during the FIFA World Cup 2018 qualification football match between Sweden and Italy in Solna,Sweden on November 10, 2017. / AFP PHOTO 

“We need to talk about the great players we have in this team.”

Italy totally dominated Monday’s match but Sweden earned a return to the World Cup for the first time since 2006 thanks to Jakob Johansson’s strike in the bruising first leg in Stockholm.

“I have never experienced anything like this,” said goalkeeper Robin Olsen.

Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven was overjoyed at the against-the-odds victory.

“Jaaaaaaaa! It will be the World Cup for Sweden in 2018 after two strong matches against Italy… Congratulations to the national team!” he wrote on Facebook.

Newspaper Dagens Nyheter could hardly believe the result either, calling it “surreal”.

 

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Zlatan Ibrahimovic sweden italy Manchester United striker return retired World Cup finals Swedes

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