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Zlatan Ibrahimovic is preparing for a sensational return to international football after 5 years in retirement

Barnaby Lane   

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is preparing for a sensational return to international football after 5 years in retirement
  • Zlatan Ibrahimovic is set to make a stunning return to the Sweden national team ahead of Euro 2020.
  • FotbollDirekt reports Ibrahimovic will be called up for Sweden's upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
  • The 39-year-old formerly retired from international football in 2016, but has long hinted at a comeback.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is set to make a stunning return to the Swedish national team ahead of the 2020 European Championship, almost five years since his last international appearance.

The 39-year-old, who is Sweden's all-time leading scorer with 62 goals, previously retired from international football in 2016, but has long-hinted at a comeback.

Ibrahimovic has been in terrific form for AC Milan this season, scoring 16 goals in all competitions for the Italian side.

Swedish news site FotbollDirekt reported over the weekend that as a consequence of Ibrahimovic's form, Sweden boss Janne Andersson will recall the veteran striker for his side's upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Kosovo, as well as for a friendly against Estonia.

He is also likely to be in contention to lead the line for Sweden at Euro 2020 this summer.

According to Sportsmail, Ibrahimovic met with Andersson in November to discuss a possible return to the international stage.

After that meeting, Andersson told reporters: "When Zlatan opened up for games in the national team, it felt natural and important to meet and discuss this as soon as possible.

"I am glad that we managed to get a meeting so quickly."

Ibrahimovic's goals have been crucial for Milan this season, spearheading the club's challenge for the Serie A title and run in Europe.

Milan will travel to Old Trafford on Thursday to take on Ibrahimovic's former club Manchester United in the first leg of its Europa League round of 16 tie.

Ibrahimovic won't be available for the match having suffered a thigh injury in Milan's win over AS Roma at the start of the month, but is expected to return for the second leg on March 18.

While he's had a stellar season on the pitch, Ibrahimovic has been his typically controversial self off it.

The Milan star has recently been embroiled in a public spat with LeBron James after he criticized the NBA star's involvement in politics.

"He's phenomenal, but I don't like when people have some kind of status and they do politics and the same time as what they are doing," Ibrahimovic said of James in an interview with Discovery+ Sweden.

"Stay out of it, do what you're best at because it doesn't look good."

James, who is an avid campaigner for social justice in the United States, hit back at the Swede shortly after, saying: "I will never shut up about things that are wrong."

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