The charismatic Zlatan Ibrahimovic is synonymous with cold and witty comments in his press conferences. The Swedish superstar has been known throughout his very distinguished career for his inclination to compare himself to a lion, and often refer to himself in the third person as well.
Besides his cocky remark-loving demeanour, an emotional side of Zlatan that does not often get enough attention was brought out in his recent press conference, where he burst into tears when he was asked about leaving his sons – as he prepares to wear the colours of his nation again.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic retired from international football after struggling in Sweden’s UEFA Euro 2016 campaign where they exited in the group stages after finishing at the bottom of their group, two years after he famously failed to help his nation qualify to the final 32 of the FIFA World Cup.
Ibrahimovic was known as the team’s talisman and most famous player for the entirety of his international career filled with incredible goals, the pick of the bunch amongst them being his bicycle kick goal against England in 2012.
To the footballing fraternity’s surprise, Zlatan was called up for national duties again last week after a five-year hiatus from the Sweden side, as he has been named in Sweden’s squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in March.
When asked about the prospect of going to represent his country once again, the AC Milan forward was overwhelmed by emotion – as he thought about his sons Maximillian and Vincent who did not want him to leave home to join the national team camp.
🗣"I had Vincent here who really cried when I left him."
Zlatan Ibrahimovic was emotional yesterday when asked about his families reaction to being recalled to the Sweden national team pic.twitter.com/yIvmrJGdm5
Ibrahimovic turns 40 this October and is a man who has responsibilities as a family man as well as being his team’s talisman with 17 league goals this season. Now at the twilight of his career, Zlatan will be certain to have established his mark upon the game when he finally decides to hang his boots up.
