Stockholm (AFP)

"I will play as long as I can": Swedish football star Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 39, left the door open Monday for participation in the 2022 World Cup, before his long-awaited return to the selection Thursday after almost five years of retirement international, and three months from the Euro.

QUESTION: When did you start to change your mind about the national team?

ANSWER: "When I came back from America. I arrived in Milan, Europe, I started to feel alive again. I felt that I could play at a high level, that I was playing well, that what I was doing was more than good and the will was growing more and more. I followed the national team all the time. Playing for national team is the greatest thing you can do as a football player. that I was following them, deep inside me, I said to myself + I think I can do something + but obviously that does not depend on me (...) When I won the Golden Ball (in Sweden), I expressed in this diary (Aftonbladet, editor's note) my desire to (re) play for the national team. Then I had a meeting with the coach and from there we started talking to learn how to us know. I was honest with myself, and to the coach I said: + listen, if I'm in good physical condition, if you think it's a good idea, parlo

ns-en +.

We talked and I'm sitting here ".

Q: How did you feel watching the national team?

Did you think you could contribute to Janne's team (Andersson, the manager) and if so, in what way?

A: “When I quit with the national team, I just relished their successes. Obviously, as a football player you want to be on the pitch and help out whenever you see the teams you have. played and the teammates you played with. I had suffered a really bad injury and my thoughts at the moment weren't + I'm the best +. So I just enjoyed and followed their successes. Today ' hui, i am here because i think i can help, thats my wish. I missed the selection. If I did not miss it, that would mean it meant nothing to me. I missed it every day since I quit, but now I have the opportunity to play for my country and I do it with honor, even if it is not only that. I am happy if I can bring results because I am here to get results. For the coach, my teammates and the country as a whole. I can speak here, if I do not bring

of results, that does not mean anything ".

Q: On the horizon, there is already the World Cup.

If you are in good shape, do you plan to continue a little longer and play the World Cup in Qatar?

A: "I promise that I will play as long as I can, and as long as I can deliver results. Whether it is for a week, a year or ten years, I promise that I will continue."

Interview at a press conference.

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