Zlatan Ibrahimovic to retire from international football after finals

"The last game (at Euro 2016) will be my last for Sweden, so I hope it will not be tomorrow," he said. "I am very proud of what I have achieved and will always bring the Swedish flag with me.

"Disappointment doesn't exist, only pride. I'm very grateful to all the supporters."

Sweden face Belgium on Wednesday needing a win to have a realistic chance of qualifying for the last 16.

The 34-year-old was expected to represent Sweden at the Olympics in Rio this summer, but will end all involvement with his country after their participation in France.

He has not yet had a shot on target as Sweden have taken only one point from their opening two games in Group E.

He made his international debut against the Faroe Islands in 2001, played at the 2002 and 2006 World Cups and has been in their squad at four European championship tournaments.

Ibrahimovic, who has strongly been linked with a move to Manchester United, has scored 62 goals for the national team in 115 appearances.

Ibrahimovic's agent Mino Raiola has already said his client would love "revenge" on the Manchester City manager Pep Guadiola, a coach he did not particularly enjoy playing under at Barcelona.

"I think he wants revenge on Guardiola," said Raiola.

"Although he does not live for it because you shouldn’t have two graves - one for him and one for the enemy.

“Zlatan admits he is a great coach and I can think it but refuse to admit it."

One of his most memorable international matches was a friendly in 2012 when he scored all four Sweden goals in a 4-2 win over England, including a memorable 35-metre effort with his back to goal.

"You need a whole press conference on what I think, but of course he has made a huge contribution to the Swedish national side," said coach Erik Hamren.

"He has been such an important figure for Swedish football as a whole. He has been fantastic for the national team, for Sweden and I think we can talk about that for hours.

"We have one international player who is at the same level as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi and that is Zlatan," he added. "Zlatan is a huge character and he has really helped Swedish football."

Zlatan's decision to go after these European Championship finals, his final match will be against Belgium on Wednesday evening unless he can inspire his side to produce an almighty shock, will make him a much more attractive proposition for Manchester United, assuming he will join Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford in the next few weeks. Rather than concerning himself about Ibrahimovic's condition during his trips abroad with the national squad next season, United know they have a striker who is fully focused on a commitment to a club who need only all the help they can get to restore their reputation at the summit of the English game.

While Sweden's fans will be saying farewell to an era when Ibrahimovic goes, United's supporters will be content with the news. Indeed, at the age of 34 and a series of injuries blighting him in recent times, it may well have been a stipulation set out by the club when discussing a possible move to work under his former Inter coach Mourinho.