Veteran striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic said on Tuesday that he hopes to play in next year’s European Championship despite his age.
Ibrahimovic, 41, will break Italian goalkeeper Dino Zoff’s age record in a Euro qualifier of 40 years and 90 days, set in 1983.
“I don’t think too far ahead, given what I’ve been through with injuries. If I feel good physically, I will continue,” the veteran AC Milan striker told reporters when asked if he would play at Euro 2024 in Germany if Sweden qualified.
Over the past weekend, Ibrahimović made history by becoming the oldest person to score a goal in Serie A, reports Klankosova.tv.
While pleased with the achievement, the Swedish footballer said he wants to be able to “compare everyone else” and not just be impressive for his age.
“I’m not here for charity. I am here to play my game and deliver and bring results through my performance. So I hope I can continue to do that,” Ibrahimovic said.
If Sweden qualify for next year’s competition, Ibrahimovic could also break the age record for a European Championship, set by Hungary’s Gabor Kiraly, who played in the 2016 edition at the age of 40.
After Sweden failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, Ibrahimovic said last year he would “keep going as long as I can” and has said he is “panicking” at the prospect of retirement.
Sweden will face Belgium on Friday and Azerbaijan on March 27.
