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Zlatan Ibrahimovic is back playing for the Swedish national team at the age of 39.

What would be astonishing with any other footballer, somehow seems natural with “Ibrakadabra”.

Ibrahimovic is known for doing extraordinary things.

At a press conference of the Swedish selection, the star striker has now explained his motives and goals for returning to the national team.

As usual, self-confident at the beginning.

But when a journalist asked, Ibrahimovic should react unfamiliar.

First of all, the legend of Swedish football sat in front of the waiting journalists in the association's tracksuit and explained why he was returning five years after he left.

Emotional outburst: When a journalist asks about his children, Ibrahimovic's tears flow

Credit: AFP / JONATHAN NACKSTRAND

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He met with coach Janne Andersson in private and discussed the general conditions.

"It was a positive meeting where we sat across from each other and in the end decided what was best for Sweden." The answer is obvious: Ibrahimovic in the national shirt.

Back number 11

“I promised the coach that I would be decisive - and now I have to prove that.

If you ask me, I'm the best in the world.

But that doesn't really help here.

I am part of a puzzle and want to contribute my experience, ”the returnees explained confidently.

With 62 goals in 116 international matches so far, the 1.95 meter tall attacker is Sweden's top scorer.

Ibrahimovic wants to start his new start in the national team with the shirt number 11.

Actually the number of Alexander Isak, who once played for Borussia Dortmund.

At the press conference, the old master told an entertaining anecdote.

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“I asked him if I could get the number.

And he gave me the 'okay', but only if he got the number back within the next six or seven years, ”Ibrahimovic smirks.

Then he would be 46.

Ibrahimovic cries at press conference

In the AC Milan jersey, Ibrahimovic proves once again this season that the aging process seems to be progressing more slowly for him.

Most recently he initiated the victory against Florence with his goal to make it 1-0 (3-2).

It was the 15th goal in the 15th game of the season for the Swede.

A contract extension beyond this June 30th, which hardly anyone has doubted for a long time, should also be imminent.

He wanted to go on, the project in Milan was exciting.

Ibrahimovic had negotiated his return with national coach Janne Andersson (left)

Credit: AFP / JONATHAN NACKSTRAND

The introduction of the well-known came as a surprise.

When a journalist asked Ibrahimovic how he explained to his two sons Maximilian, 14, and Vincent, 13, that he was leaving Milan for the national team, the superstar unexpectedly bursts into tears.

Farewell to the home country seems to have been extremely difficult for the offspring and to have triggered mixed feelings in the father.

“That's not a nice question.

I have two kids at home who are kicking the ball around.

My wife tells them to stop, but I say, 'No, we can replace things when they break.'

Vincent really cried when I left. “But now everything is fine again, said Ibrahimovic in a tear-choked voice.