Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has not played for his country for five years, could not help but cry when asked Monday about his family’s reaction to his return with Sweden.

“It’s not a good question,” he said in Stockholm. “He was with Vincent (one of his sons) and he started crying when I left him. But everything is fine …” Zlatan had to stop for a bit and wipe his tears off.

The 39-year-old Swedish star is the big news on the list for his first two Qatar 2022 qualifiers against Georgia and Kosovo and the friendly against Estonia.

Ibra retired from the Swedish national team after Euro 2016, but last fall hinted that he wanted to return and met Swedish coach Jan “Jan” Anderson, who had criticized him several times in the past for not including foreign players. the origin.

“When I asked, they were all positive. When it comes to playing for your country, nobody is against. It’s just about giving up or not giving up,” the striker said of his closest relatives’ reaction to a possible return to Sweden.

As he did a few days ago in an interview broadcast by the Swedish Federation, Ibrahimovi confirmed that he would return to his performance in Milan and not for his name. “I am here because I deserve it, what I did before does not matter at all,” said the Swedish star, who was proud and assured that he is there to “help” and not “to demand” anything.

Sweden’s all-time top scorer, with 62 goals in 116 games, admitted that if he had said “no” to return, he would have regretted it within a year, and stressed that the important thing was “to keep doing it.” What you love for as long as possible. “

Sweden, Spain’s rival in the upcoming European Championships, is also framed with Luis Enrique’s team in the same World Cup qualifying group.