The Swedish Football Federation announces Zlatan Ibrahimovic will not play in the World Cup

The Swedish Football Federation announced today that Zlatan Ibrahimovic, retired from the national team after Euro 2016 and whose return had been speculated, remains firm in his decision and will not be in the World Cup in Russia.

"I spoke with Zlatan on Tuesday. He informed me that he hasn't changed his mind about the national team. His 'no' is still valid," said Lars Richt, the head of the Swedish national team.

As in previous call-ups, 'Ibra' is therefore not eligible for the squad list that coach Jan 'Janne' Andersson will announce on May 15, stated the press release.

The announcement puts an end to several weeks of speculation about a possible return of the LA Galaxy forward, 36 years old, fueled by his own ambiguous messages, which had caused some annoyance among his former teammates and Andersson himself.

The captain of the team, Andreas Granqvist, had urged Ibrahimovic yesterday in an interview with Aftonbladet newspaper to finally clarify whether he wanted to return to the national team or not.

The former player of Barcelona, Juventus, Milan, Inter, and Manchester United had recently commented that his chances of being in Russia had increased or that the World Cup without him would not be a "real" World Cup.

The fact that 'Ibra' has signed an advertising contract with a credit card company to be its public face in Russia had raised doubts about whether it was all just a way to promote his businesses.

Sweden, who eliminated Italy in the playoffs, is in Group F with Germany, Mexico, and South Korea.

Support the Tri in 2018!