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Zlatan Ibrahimovic plays last international game with Sweden

By Kyle Tomasi

Jul 29, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Paris Saint-Germain forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic (10) scores a goal against Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea (1) during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 29, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Paris Saint-Germain forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic (10) scores a goal against Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea (1) during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /
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With Zlatan’s international career over, Sweden has nothing but dark days ahead of them.

Swedish legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic did not go out the way he would have liked in the UEFA Euro 2016 but that doesn’t mean fans will soon forget about him.

The Sweden men’s national team struggled in the UEFA Euro 2016 drawing the Republic of Ireland in the opening match 1-1, then dropping two 1-0 decisions against 12th ranked Italy and 2nd ranked Belgium.

Ibrahimovic will go out as Sweden’s leading goal-scorer (62) in just 116 appearances and will always be remembered for his bicycle-kick goal he scored against England in a 2012 international friendly from 35-yards out. Yeah, you read that correctly — 35-yards. This capped off his four goal game and a 4-2 win that had any sports fans amazed at his talent.

With Zlatan’s retirement, dark days are ahead for the Sweden national team if this year’s Euros are any indication of that. They don’t have a goal-scoring threat like they have for the past 15 years. With Ibrahimovic on the field, Sweden always stood a fighting chance, now, goal-scoring might be a little tough to come by.

Ibrahimovic had an illustrious career with many teams but none more prominent than his latest stint with Paris Saint-Germain where he appeared in 122 games, scoring 113 goals. He seems to be on his way to Manchester United after PSG refused to replace the Eiffel Tower with a statue of him, which is baffling to any soccer fan.

Only time will tell if the 34-year-old can keep his image as a top striker in the entire world but more than anything, let’s just hope that his flair and arrogance keeps him in international headlines. His antics on and off the field have always made him a hero or a villain in the eyes of many.

Ibrahimovic once wrote 50 names of people who are struggling with hunger on his body to raise awareness. He also has a list of incredible quotes he’s said throughout the years. Here are just a few:

  • “I can’t help but laugh at how perfect I am.”
  • “We’re looking for an apartment. If we don’t find anything, then I’ll probably just buy the hotel.”
  • “First I went left, he did too. Then I went right, and he did too. Then I went left again, and he went to buy a hotdog.”

Never change, Zlatan. Never ever change.

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