Zlatan Ibrahimovic will not come out of international retirement to play at the World Cup, the Swedish Football Association says.
The 36-year-old ended his Sweden career after Euro 2016 but there have been suggestions he could make a shock return in time for this year s finals in Russia.
Ibrahimovic, now of LA Galaxy, said he would definitely be at the tournament in some capacity during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
However, it appears he will not be part of head coach Janne Anderson s playing squad.
A statement released by the Swedish FA on Facebook confirmed: Sweden s greatest goalscorer of all time for the national team will NOT play at the World Cup.
Speaking last week, Anderson said he had not spoken to Ibrahimovic about a return but i…
Aaron Wan-Bissaka thanked Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson for his faith and trust after completing a reported £50million move to Manchester United.
United confirmed the capture of the 21-year-old on Saturday following lengthy negotiations with Palace.
Wan-Bissaka made his Eagles debut against Tottenham in February 2018, making a further six appearances during the final months of that campaign.
Hodgson saw enough to make the England Under-21 international his first choice right-back for the 2018-19 season and he did not disappoint, swiftly establishing himself as one of the most promising defenders in the Premier League.
Following his switch to Old Trafford, Wan-Bissaka saluted Hodgson for giving him an opportunity in the senior ranks.
I wou…
Alex Iwobi has revealed Arsenal were close to releasing him during his time with the club s youth academy.
The Nigeria international joined the Arsenal academy at the tender age of nine and made his first-team debut in a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Sheffield Wednesday in October 2015.
Iwobi has since developed into an important member of Arsene Wenger s team, but he has made it clear things could very well have panned out differently.
I was almost released at 14, again at 16 and just about got a professional contract after that, the 20-year-old forward told Standard Sport.
Especially at 14, I thought I was very close to not making it. It was stressful as I was going through school, trying to balance that and make sure I was still signed for Arsenal. It …
Philipp Lahm hailed Bastian Schweinsteiger as an outstanding footballer and sensational guy following the Germany captain s retirement from international football.
Schweinsteiger called time on his Germany career on Friday after 12 years and 120 caps.
The Manchester United midfielder took over the armband from former Bayern Munich team-mate Lahm following Germany s 2014 World Cup triumph, but, after they failed to win the European Championship in France, Schweinsteiger opted to walk away.
But Lahm believes Schweinsteiger can look back at this international career with plenty of pride.
It is his decision. I have great respect for him and his 120 caps, he is a world champion, Lahm told reporters. We had a great time in the national team as well.
…
Luiz Adriano s record-equalling display in Belarus on Tuesday has been overshadowed by his claims of racist chanting from BATE supporters.
Shakhtar Donetsk were thumping 7-0 winners at BATE in UEFA Champions League Group H action.
Luiz Adriano scored five of those goals matching the feat set by Barcelona s Lionel Messi in 2012 but the achievement has been soured by the Brazilian s allegations of racism at Borisov Arena.
I heard rude abuse … racist ones [chants], the striker was quoted as saying on Shakhtar s official website.
Supporters behaved improperly and that is why I am disappointed and feel resentment. It was an ugly act from their side.
Luiz Adriano also scored the fastest four-goal haul 17 minutes in Champions League history, surpass…
Ciro Immobile is hoping his loan switch to Sevilla will turn into a permanent move.
The Italy international scored 22 Serie A goals for Torino in 2013-14, form that earned him a transfer to Borussia Dortmund, who were attempting to replace Robert Lewandowski after his transfer to Bayern Munich.
But Immobile failed to fire in the Bundesliga, making just nine league starts and scoring three times in 2014-15.
Immobile s season-long loan move was announced on Sunday before being officially presented as a Sevilla player 24 hours later.
For me it is an important year, because last year was not good, Immobile said.
It is beautiful to play in the Champions League and a new championship, I hope to do well.
I am very happy because Sevilla are …
Xherdan Shaqiri is buying a new house, which Stoke City manager Mark Hughes says is proof he is not on the brink of joining Roma.
The Switzerland international is shining in his second season with the club after joining from Inter in a £12 million deal in July 2015 and he netted two excellent goals in a 2-0 win at Hull City last time out.
Shaqiri s fine form has led to reports in Italy that Roma could be set to swoop in January, while the winger s brother and agent, Erdin, fuelled the speculation earlier this month by saying, never say never .
But Hughes has vowed not to sell the former Bayern Munich player and thinks he is settled at Stoke.
I ve heard the speculation, but that is all it is – speculation, Hughes told The Mirror.
There was a…
Market: Brighton win
Odds: 10/11 @
Two sides who find themselves battling it out at opposite ends of the Premier League table, Brighton will welcome Leicester to the Amex on Sunday afternoon.
Starting with the hosts, after being left disappointed by their 2-1 loss away at Premier League returners Fulham earlier in the week, Brighton will be seeking an immediate response here. While Graham Potter s men might have seen their eye-catching start to the 2022/23 campaign come to an abrupt end in west London, the ex-Swansea boss should still find the mood in his camp at a real high. Only continuing to gain plenty of plaudits, the Seagulls still find themselves battling it out in the top-four. Shocking almost everyone across Europe as they marked their return from the s…
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin declared European football must remain open to all clubs amid ongoing speculation concerning a breakaway Super League.
Although the majority of the Super League s founding members withdrew in the face of public and political pressure following a much-criticised launch last April, the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus remain committed to the project.
Florentino Perez, who was to be named Super League chairman, has continued to call for Europe s elite clubs to secede from UEFA, insisting the breakaway competition was still alive in June.
More recently, Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos backed the stance of the Blancos president by claiming: It [the Super League] should have been in operation for a long time .
But Cerf…
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini admits it would be difficult for his side to sign Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney.
Rooney was named on the bench for United s Champions League defeat to Real Madrid on Tuesday, sparking speculation the 27-year-old could be on his way out of Old Trafford at the end of the season.
The England international was reportedly a target for City in 2010, when the player publicly expressed his concern over United s ambition and long-term prospects.
Mancini, however, believes the striker will not be affected by the decision to leave him out of the starting line-up and an exit is unlikely.
I think that Rooney is one of the best strikers in Europe but I think it is difficult he can leave Manchester United, Mancini told r…