ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC MAY want to return to international football at this summer’s World Cup, but he’s not currently in Sweden’s plans according to their head coach.
The 36-year-old frontman called time on a memorable career with his country after Euro 2016, with 116 appearances and 62 goals recorded over 15 years.
Ibrahimovic has, however, revealed that he would be willing to come back into the fold for another outing at football’s global showpiece in Russia.
His undoubted ability would be welcomed by most in the Swedish squad, but Sweden head coach Janne Andersson insists the enigmatic striker is not currently part of the picture for Russia.
Andersson told TV4′s Fotbollskanalen he has not held any talks with Ibrahimovic and is preparing for a World Cup without the former Inter and Paris Saint-Germain star.
“Zlatan and a number of other players said they did not want to join the national team after the European Championships in France, and I respect that,” he said. “But what the media is speculating about and what Zlatan himself is talking about, I cannot relate to that. I relate to what has been said between us.
“We have had a deal where we agreed on what was going on and where he was very clear to me. I agreed with that.”
Andersson stated Ibrahimovic has not called him to discuss World Cup participation and was clear when asked whether the forward was part of Sweden’s plans. “No, absolutely not,” he added. “Because he has said ‘no’.
“The others who have said ‘no’ are not included either. Those who are included are those who have said ‘yes’.”
Sweden back-up goalkeeper Karl-Johan Johnsson fears the presence of an “individualist” such as Ibrahimovic may deflect too much attention away from others and force a tactical rethink.
The man who plays his club football for French side Gunigamp told Main Oppose of the enigmatic striker: “It’s up to the coach to see if he wants to bring him.
We managed to qualify and go through to the World Cup without him, and I think we can manage to play well at the World Cup without him.
“But as I said, it’s up to the coach to decide if he wants him to join, and I’m sure if he does join, he will play well.”
Johnsson added: “As a team, we play as a collective, all the players together.
With Zlatan, as a person, as a player he’s an individualist, and the play goes around him. Instead, now, we play more with the team all together.
“It’s a different style of play when you have a player like Zlatan, Cristiano [Ronaldo] or [Lionel] Messi in your team, because they’re world-class players, and you have to use those players to win the game and play in a special way.
“I don’t know if the coach wants such a big change, because he’ll have to change the whole system of how he wants to play.”
Ibrahimovic, who is now turning out in MLS with the LA Galaxy, has stated on a regular basis that he will be part of the Sweden side if he wants to be.
He reiterated that stance during an interview with Jimmy Kimmel on American television, saying: “I just said I’m going to the World Cup.
“If I say more, people will hang me, so I have to be careful what I say now.
“A World Cup without me wouldn’t be a World Cup.”
– Omni
Boom boom boom boom everybody say Mayo!
@Eamonn McColgan II: Mayo make history like Galway 2 weeks ago. There is all to play for remember there was a replay last year.
Must be serious pressure on the Dubs today. Imagine loosing to a team of amateurs.
@mickmc: jeez mayo are by no means amateurs
@Alison Maguire: No it’s no surprised the two best funded county got to the final.
@mickmc: why how much did each of those county’s spend on players ??
@Nucky: your alive,any chance you can come back and put neenee/alan back in his box
@j lad: think I just did
@Nucky: well enough “expense” or handy numbers to ensure they can train professionally without the hindrance of a job.
@mickmc: Learn to spell imbecile
@mickmc: aww boohoo things are only a hindrance if you let them be
@mickmc: I respect the Dubs and their fans but not tits like you who troll online! May the best team win today!
O’Gara lucky to be on pitch! Knackery thing to do
@Adrian Costigan: gouging. Low act
@Cathal: knowing the GAA will prob get an 8 week ban, be back for first round of o’byrne cup in January!
Ref is giving everything to Dublin
@Gerry Murphy: what game are you watchin
Dublin foul themselves and get a free in lol
@Simon: This Game is Archive Available Here ————> http://nfl.onair.host/
If ever there was a game that the best team lost this was it
Not a hope
A draw today and Mayo to win the replay at home in Castlebar
@TravellingTheWorld: Good News All Soccer Fan,
Today Game Watch Live stream Fllow This…….. http://soccer.onair.host/
Come on Mayo, stuff the jackeens
@Declan Moran: yjuykiuytok7u6ou
@Declan Moran: Great News All Soccer Fan,
Today Game Watch Live stream Fllow This…….. http://soccer.onair.host/
@Anika Swift: this isn’t soccer
@Declan Moran: Thanks Anika. I need this after that fcuking sh!te today
Classy bit of eye gouging caught on camera by O’Gara.
@Bríd Uí Mhaoluala: nice elbow by keegan into back of coopers head
Referee is shocking in my opinion. Neutral supporter here
Mayo by 2
How many men have to hang out of Aidan O’Shea for him to get a free?
People really are underestimating this Dublin team and don’t realize how good they are. This is a team that you’ll only see once every generation, kinda like the Kerry team of the 70′s/80′s. They will beat Mayo today, and I believe they’ll do it quite handily. The firepower that Dublin have on the bench is the crucial aspect of this game. Once the benches come into play around the 45min mark you’ll see the Dubs pull away. I take Dublin by 5-7 points.
@Stephen Duggan: Not really…………….at half time!
@Stephen Duggan: Best Team ever my arse.
@Ewan Scott: I agree, poor first half. But no All Ireland is ever won at half time.
@Ewan Scott: Where did I say ‘best team ever?’
@Ewan Scott: champions
@Ewan Scott: Now you agree up The Dubs
@Michael McCormack: sorry to say o don’t Michael
@Paul Furey: were at full time
Go néirí an tádh leis an bhfoireann is fearr. COYBIB
@architects: Is feidir leat labhairt i nGaeilge ach tá tú fós ar “shoneen” -
@Old Gabby Johnson: ___Is buaiteoir é mar atá gach I mBaile Átha Cliath ar lá atá againn inniu ann! COYBIB
@George Hogan: Let the good times roll! COYBIB
Before the first ad break at half time RTE did their usual montage of highlights. One was a Dublin player eye gouging a Mayo player. No mention of it anywhere, unless I missed commentary on it.
@Thomas O’ Donnell: don’t worry Thomas. The Sunday game crew will lobby to get him a long suspension later on. Mark my words
Referee seems to have forgotten his cards for mayo
Mayo 1-16 Dublin 1-14
Ref doing his best to make a bo**ix of it as usual.
What was Vaughan thinking about. What an absolute eejit
COYBIB!!!
@Billy Connelly: The whole country is rooting for the Jacks to lose…
@TravellingTheWorld: Typical spiteful culchies;)
@Billy Connelly: the journal send notifications for the Chelsea match but not the all ireland final.???? What’s more important.
@Joe Travers: neither is more important than the other they are just two sporting contests. I’m getting Journal notifications for both so I’d check your phone.
@Joe Travers: Hi Joe. You can get notifications if you scroll up to the top of the page and click into ‘live blog’ and turn on ‘important events’. Enjoy the game.
Mayo for ham
Cluxton kick outs amazing…..when he’s kicking 10 yrds to free man! Other than that he’s bottled them
If Mayo had another forward other than Andy Moran they would be further ahead, Cillian O Connor very over rated
He’s having a very poor game so far
Come On Ye Boys In Blue
You’re some West of Ireland man Paul Scanlon …. tosser!
@SYM-Metal: says a roscommon dik head
Dublin Joe at it again.No way Donal Vaughan should have sent off.Joe couldn’t have Dublin a man down.Could he and he has given them the space on pitch they need.Well done.
@Mary Ryan: go back to washin the dishes 2 reds cards deserved, if Vaughan had of stayed out of it dubs were down to 14 and mayo were in the driving seat idiot of a player
@Mary Ryan: intentional striking or attempting to strike an opponent is a straight red! You will vary rarely see a clearer example
As a donegal man well played by both sides. Best final ive seen in a long time..
Vaughan has just handed the all Ireland to Dublin, Muppet
Fair play to the Dubs. Deserved 3 in a row.
So, we see how good the dubs are when they’re tested, NOT so great
@Declan Moran: champions 3 in a row
Some dirty tactics by Dublin and poor refereeing decisions all going Dublin’ s way..
Mayo were the better team..
@Patrick j Brady: hahahahahaha. And what about Mayos dragging and taking players out. Even the last free he swung his boot towards Rock as he was taking it.
@Patrick j Brady: Most of the off the ball dirty play came from Mayo
It’s the ref that badly needs a boot!! Too many incidents not picked up on
Mayo must take their points. Way too many wides.
Only 2 scores for Dublin in the 1st 20 mins. Dean Rock has started the game poorly and McCaffrey will be a big loss.
Also has to be said that Cilllan O Connor has been very poor for Mayo – just as well Moran and Doherty are doing great so far
Agree John
Donal Vaughan.
Dublin – much more experienced at this level, awesome firepower available to replace anyone misfiring on the day and side full of confidence, united and determined. Pressure is on Mayo to take it off the Dubs.
I’m trying to watch on rte player it’s bad anyone any ideas what’s wrong or any stream to watch
@Donal O Cofaigh: mobdro? Not great quality by any means but it works. Both on rte and sky.
@Malvolio32: found one on you tube gaa hd live , excellent quality, thanks for reply
@Donal O Cofaigh: watching RTE on Mobdro and have a much better stream than the RTE player app
Gutted for mayo : (
Go on Mayo
Vaughan , full qualified velvet ears !!!!
How many steps did Rock run for that point ? Mayo hard done by
Another home win for Dublin
@TravellingTheWorld: yes and delighted. No better feeling than the capital winning in the capital.
Mayo hahahaha ,
Weren’t u hoping mayo would win 2 weeks ago! Hypocrite
Poor Mayo, if Vaughan had kept his head things could very different. Hard luck… once again. COYBIB!!!!!!!!
mayo ony themselves to blame.in the last 10 minutes too many mayo players went missin.Dublin didn’t even play well
@Michael cunnane: or weren’t let play well??
HT. Dublin are very poor so far.Jack Mac huge loss .Eoin o Gara has to go if Dublin are to win but this will be close and could be a another draw.
Unlucky mayo. Was an enjoyable game of football to watch. Heart in the mouth stuff at the end. Thought a draw was a fair result to be honest and a replay but hope to see use back at the final stage next year for another battle. Up the dubs
MAYO CHEATED BY THUGS
@Pat Butler: always with the excuses. Annual bottlers.
That last COC free kick which came off the post…..no Mayo player at the ready to pounce on rebound!
The Vaughan incident, very costly…when cool heads and calmness required in the heat of that moment…a red mist descends on Donie.
Thrilling game. End to end stuff! Hard luck Mayo. Congrats to Dubs.
All in all 2017 a great year’s GAA matches.
Dublin didn’t deserve to win today Mayo did. O am sickened by how poor the ref was at that game…..
@Robert McMahon: Agreed
@Robert McMahon: of course Dublin deserved to win. They battled on and scored more points when playing poorly. That’s the definition of a winning team.
Gooooaaaaallllllll Mayo
Keep it up Nayo
@Paul: that’s what the dubs call a donkey!
Loss of McCaffrey was massive for Dublin. Dublins best players always seem to get injured against mayo. Every time they play. It’s amazing.
Mayo should be further ahead.
Connolly to score the winner :)
O Connor has to get into the game if mayo want to win.
C’mon Sinéad! Have Dublin shown up? Often late for GAA.
Mayo struggling to break dubs blanket defence.
That curse stands. If I was those two remaining players from 55 I’d be in wit pro.
Really not impressed by this at all. The skill level is very low. Both these teams would get monstered by 100 points if they took on the Ireland rugby team in a rugby match.
Bunch of amateurs.
@beni gabor: poor attempt at Trolling
@beni gabor: g8 b8 m8
Great game of football. Fair play to Dublin, dispite not playing well im the first half, They managed to keep their composer, and take their scores. A close finish but the best team won on the day.
What would have happened if we won desperate dan? Would u have gone into hiding? Joke of a gaa “fan”
Donal Vaughan cost Mayo that match. Devastating for everyone concerned to have to put up with such stupidity.
Is it me or are they playing for a replay? Not playing more like..
@Mike Foley: maybe not.. dublin just scored
@Mike Foley: well no one can say the ref didn’t do his bit.
I thought the dubs were on the GAA payroll if they went on for a replay
So close ,gutted but they gave yas a run for your money
What a clown you are Vaughan , had the advantage & pissed away coz you’re a hot head fool
Can’t blame a so called curse for that. A stupid red card cost them in the end. Absolutely brainless.
Dirty smackheads
Cmon Mayo cursed jaysus beat the dubs
Whens the blame the ref and dirty dublin gonna start well done dublin great game, Respect to mayo great team