‘It’s not over until I say it’s over’: Zlatan Ibrahimovic REFUSES to give up on selection for Sweden’s Euro 2020 squad despite being ruled out with a knee injury, as the AC Milan star posts clip of himself working out on a bike
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic was left out of the Sweden squad for Euro 2020 this week
- The AC Milan veteran was told he needs six weeks of treatment on a knee injury
- Ibrahimovic took to Instagram to suggest that his hopes of playing aren’t over
- He posted a clip of himself working out on a bike, raising hopes he could be fit
- The 39-year-old came out of international retirement in March after five years
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has claimed his dream of playing for Sweden at Euro 2020 is not over yet – despite being left out of the squad for this summer’s tournament.
The AC Milan veteran was cruelly ruled out of contention after suffering a serious knee injury during his side’s 3-0 win over rivals Juventus earlier this month.
But Ibrahimovic, who had been expected to need six weeks of treatment, took to social media on Wednesday to suggest that he still has a chance of starring for his country after coming out of international retirement in March.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic posted a video of himself working out as he refuses to give up on Euro 2020
The AC Milan striker had been ruled out of the tournament after suffering a knee injury
Alongside a video of himself working out on an exercise bike on Instagram, the 39-year-old striker wrote: ‘It’s not over until I say it’s over’.
It is not clear how Ibrahimovic plans to force his way into manager Janne Andersson’s plans, given he announced his 26-man squad earlier this week.
The former Barcelona and Manchester United forward was not included, with Spartak Moscow’s Jordan Larsson earning a call up instead.
Ibrahimovic was forced off against Juve after fighting for possession in the middle of the pitch and falling to the turf holding his knee. He does not require surgery.
Ibrahimovic made his surprise return to international action in March’s World Cup qualifiers
Ibrahimovic was forced off with the knee problem in AC Milan’s 3-0 victory against Juventus
Speaking last week, Andersson said: ‘I spoke to Zlatan Ibrahimovic today, who unfortunately told me his injury will prevent his participation in the European Championship this summer.
‘Of course it is sad, especially for Zlatan, but for us too. I hope that he is back on the pitch again as soon as possible.’
In an attempt to discover the extent of his injury, Ibrahimovic visited Volker Mushal, a renowned surgeon, in Pittsburgh.
Mushal carried out the operation on the veteran’s serious knee injury during his time at Old Trafford in 2017.
Sweden boss Janne Andersson has now announced his squad for this summer’s tournament
Ibrahimovic was missing from the squad after being told he’d need six weeks of treatment
It was discovered Ibrahimovic sustained a sprain, but the lengthy period of recovery had appeared to bring an end to any hopes of playing at Euro 2020.
The ex-Ajax star made an emotional return for Sweden after five years away during March’s World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Kosovo.
Having brazenly announced his comeback as the ‘return of God’, Ibrahimovic set up the only goal in the 1-0 over Georgia and picked up two more assist against Kosovo.
Ibrahimovic scored 62 goals in 116 internationals before announcing his retirement following his country’s group stage elimination at Euro 2016.