A year ago
While he made his comeback for Sweden when they began their Euro 2024 campaign against Belgium, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is still not the oldest player to take the field in a European Championship qualification.
It was believed that the Swedish striker had surpassed the long-standing record set by Dino Zoff of Italy, who made an appearance at the age of 40 years and 90 days during a European Championship qualifying match in 1983.
With 13 minutes remaining in the 3-0 loss to Belgium, Ibrahimovic won his 122nd cap for his nation by replacing Newcastle's Alexander Isak.
Ibrahimovic did surpass Zoff's milestone, but he still lags Gibraltar's Lee Casciaro by four days. Casciaro started Gibraltar's 0-3 loss to Greece in Group B.
Casicaro has made a habit of setting records; the forward now holds the record for the most titles won by a single club (57) and is the best goal scorer for his country with three goals. Casicaro plays club football for Lincoln Red Imps in Gibraltar.
Romelu Lukaku's hat-trick helped Belgium get off to a fantastic start under new coach Domenico Tedesco, and unfortunately Ibrahimovic could do nothing to stop Sweden from beginning their 2024 European qualifying campaign with a defeat.
Before Anthony Elanga, his international teammate, was even born, the seasoned striker made his Sweden debut in 2001. Since then, he has scored 62 goals, making him his nation's all-time leading scorer.
The Swedish star became the oldest player to score in Serie A history earlier this week when he scored in AC Milan's 3-1 loss to Udinese. His goal cemented his name in Italian history.
Ibrahimovic has just recently made a full recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury that kept him out for the first half of the previous season.
Before having surgery last summer, he somehow overcame his suffering to help Milan win the Serie A championship with eight goals and three assists.
He signed a new one-year contract with the Italian powerhouses while he was injured, and he might now contribute to their effort to secure a top-four spot as well as their forthcoming Champions League qualifier against Napoli.
If Sweden is able to advance from Group F, the former Manchester United player may also have his eye on the Championships in Germany next year.
He would surpass Gabor Kiraly of Hungary, who participated in the competition at the age of 40 years and 74 days in 2016, if he were to compete in Euro 2024.
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