World Cup "best thing" to happen to a player, says Ibrahimovic

Los Angeles Galaxy forward and former Sweden captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic said on Thursday that the 2018 FIFA World Cup was the "best thing" that could happen to the Swedish national football team.

"I retired from the national team a couple of years ago… It's the best thing that can happen to a player, represent the country in a World Cup. It's a moment of memory, a moment of honour," Ibrahimovic told journalists, reports Sputnik news agency.

The 36-year-old, who currently plays for the US club the Los Angeles Galaxy, has played for a number of European giants, such as Juventus, Barcelona, Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United, over the course of his career.

Ibrahimovic is Sweden's all-time top goalscorer, having netted 62 goals in 116 matches before retiring from international football after Euro 2016 in France.

The former Juventus and FC Barcelona striker also felt that Sweden is among the favourites to win the World Cup, along with the likes of Brazil and Argentina.

"They beat some big nations to reach the World Cup, so let's see. Everything is exciting and new. You never know what will happen. It's all about the moment. Whoever is best in the moment is the one that will do well," Ibrahimovic was quoted as saying by the official FIFA website.

"I think Brazil, Spain, Germany, obviously Sweden. Argentina also, even if they don't want to speak about themselves as favourites: they are. I am sorry the US is not in the World Cup because that's my new country where I live, and I would support them also," he added.

--IANS

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