ZLEXIT: Zlatan Ibrahimovic quits international football as Sweden bow out of the tournament

Nice, June 23 

Zlatan Ibrahimovic played his last game for Sweden when they were knocked out of Euro on Wednesday and his coach said the country was unlikely to find another player like him. Ibrahimovic, making his 116th appearance, ended his international career with a 1-0 defeat to Belgium in which he had a second-half goal disallowed.

The 34-year-old broke the mould of the Swedish game during his 15-year international career, blowing away the cobwebs after decades of collectivism with his individual brilliance — and cockiness.

“If I have to think about a new Zlatan, I hope we can find some other player who’s a really good player but I don’t think in a small country like Sweden you can find another player like him,” said coach Erik Hamren. “He’s special, he’s unique. I hoped he could have had a better finish than this. The same goes for (goalkeeper) Andreas Isaksson and (midfielder) Kim Kallstrom, who have performed well for a long time and are also ending their Sweden careers.” 

Ibrahimovic, 34, played respectably in all three of Sweden’s matches without ever producing some of the outrageous skill of which he is capable. He clearly suffered from a lack of service on Wednesday, often being forced to drop back into midfield to collect the ball, as he was against Italy in the previous game.

Even Belgium’s players were sad to see him go. “Zlatan has done a lot of important things in his career and would have wanted to go further here,” said Eden Hazard. Belgium coach Marc Wilmots remembered his own international retirement against Brazil at the 2002 World Cup. “I remember from when I finished my own career with Belgium that it’s difficult,” he said. “He has done a lot of things for Sweden. I just said “bravo” to him and wished him luck for the future.”

No luck for Ibrahimovic

Facing elimination if defeated, both teams pushed forward to attack which produced a pulsating first half hour in balmy Nice. Chances came thick and fast. Sweden almost had a dream start three minutes in when a goalmouth half-volley by Marcus Berg was batted out by Thibaut Courtois.

Playing in unfamiliar turquoise jerseys, Belgium launched regular raids with Kevin De Bruyne through the middle and Hazard, roving from wing to wing, at the heart of the danger. At the other end, Ibrahimovic had little joy, bar the occasional half-chance snapshot or attempt at a spectacular volley. But none came to anything on an ultimately frustrating night for the Swedish legend.

As the clock ran down in the second half the temperature began rising again. Belgium had a strong penalty claim turned when a Carrasco cross was blocked, while on the hour Isaksson dived at full length to keep out a De Bruyne drive. In the 84th minute, however, Radja Nainggolan controlled a cross from Eden Hazard outside the area and powered it into the net to put Belgium ahead.

Time was running out on Ibrahimovic when he went close with a freekick turned away by Courtois with a quarter hour to go. Then a header was cleared off the line by Meunier. But there was to be no salvation for Sweden.  — Agencies

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