Zlatan Ibrahimovic drops World Cup hint

Monitoring Desk

Moscow: Swedish star Zlatan Ibrahimovic has hinted that he hopes to feature at this year’s World Cup, teasing fans that he could come out of retirement to play in Russia.

In an appearance on ABC television’s late-night Jimmy Kimmel show on Tuesday, the former Sweden striker said “it wouldn’t be a World Cup” if he didn’t play.

The 36-year-old has previously been circumspect about his hopes of playing in the World Cup for Sweden, who qualified for the finals for the first time in 12 years when they defeated Italy in a play-off.

“I’m going to the World Cup, yes,” Ibrahimovic told Kimmel when asked if he would be in Russia. When pressed by the host if he expected to attend as a player or in another capacity, Ibrahimovic was coy.

“I just said I’m going to the World Cup,” the Los Angeles Galaxy striker said. “If I say more, people will hang me, so I have to be careful what I say now.” Speaking later, he added: “I mean, a World Cup without me wouldn’t be a World Cup.” Ibrahimovic, who last played at a World Cup with Sweden in 2006, retired from international football after the 2016 European Championship.

He said last month he wanted to concentrate on settling into his career in Major League Soccer before thinking about the World Cup. But he admitted he was available for Russia if required. “Let me first enjoy it here,” Ibrahimovic said on March 30. “What happens here will take it further.

“The World Cup is another question. I’ve said it before. Nobody needs to call anybody. If they want, I’m there.”