Russia 2018 world Cup : Sweden are taking over the world like I did — Zlatan

Zlatan Ibrahimovic insisted he was very happy to see Sweden into the World Cup knockout stage, saying the nation were taking over just as he once did.

Ibrahimovic, 36, retired from international football after Euro 2016, having scored a record 62 goals in 116 appearances for his country.

There were suggestions the striker could return for the World Cup, but he was overlooked, and Sweden have shown few signs of missing the superstar as they topped Group F to reach the last 16.

Ibrahimovic said he was delighted to see his nation performing so well on the world stage.

"I said before the World Cup they'll go far and they'll probably win it," the LA Galaxy striker said on Thursday.

"I'm very happy, proud to be Swedish, driving around with a Swedish flag, so, we hear them.

"I took over the world, now Sweden are taking over the world."


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