Zlatan Ibrahimovic at a press conference for his return to the Swedish team, March 22, 2021. -

Jonas Ekstromer / AP / SIPA

The unalterable Swedish football star Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 39, said Monday he has become more patient with time, on the eve of his return after more than four years of absence in the colors of Sweden on Thursday.

“The older I get, the more patience I have.

Both on and off the pitch, ”said the almost forty-something during a press conference three days before a qualifying match against Georgia for the 2022 World Cup.

The striker with 62 national goals, who had approached the coach in recent months for a return to the selection by confident that he missed the yellow and blue jersey, assured that it was not a question of shining only individually .

“I'm not here to have my own show,” said the man who last week described his comeback as “the return of God”.

“I'm just one puzzle piece among lots of puzzle pieces,” he said again, “but if you ask me, I'm the best in the world!

He joked.

The selection never far from the eyes

Had the star AC Milan striker imagined wearing Sweden's jersey again after Euro 2016, when he retired internationally?

" Impossible ".

"I said I might not even be playing football in five years," he admitted.

However, time seems to have done its work perfectly on the Swedish giant (1.95 m), in great shape this season in Serie A despite his injuries.

Far from the Swedish selection, “Ibra” assures him: “I followed the national team all the time.

Playing for the national team is the greatest thing you can do as a football player.

While I was following them, deep inside I was like 'I think I can do something' ”.

A divisive personality whose oversized ego is often brought to light, Zlatan Ibrahimovic also showed a more sensitive side of his personality on Monday: when asked what his two sons, Maximilian and Vincent, aged 14 and 13, thought of his return , the player tried to contain his tears.

“This is not a good question that you are asking.

I had Vincent here, who even cried when we left him.

But it's okay, it's okay, ”he replied, moved.

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