In Sweden’s Euro 2024 qualifiers this month, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the veteran striker of AC Milan, could break Dino Zoff’s record for the oldest goalkeeper. If he plays against Belgium on March 24 or Azerbaijan on March 27, Ibrahimovic will surpass Zoff’s Euro qualifier record of 40 years and 90 days set in 1983. As a result of a knee injury, he has played just three games for Milan this season.
“Zlatan has made three slightly longer substitutions now in Milan and feels fit and in decent shape even though he has been away for a while,” coach Janne Andersson said in a statement.
“From that perspective, I think he can contribute. Especially on the pitch, but also off the pitch,” Andersson added.
At the age of 41, Zlatan Ibrahimović has been called up to the Sweden squad for their EURO 2024 qualifiers against Belgium and Azerbaijan. 🇸🇪 pic.twitter.com/8nDJmRlq1g
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) March 15, 2023
Another record is in sight for Ibrah
If Sweden makes it to the next edition in Germany, Ibrahimovic will also be able to break the record set by Hungary’s Gabor Kiraly, who played in the 2016 edition aged 40. After Sweden failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup Zlatan said last year that he will “continue as long as I can,” and he has said he is “panicking” at the prospect of retiring.
All three countries are in qualifying group F, along with Estonia and Austria, with the top two advancing.
