‘Little ghetto’ to Sweden’s greatest - Zlatan Ibrahimovic bows out

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has said he is proud of his Sweden career after their exit from Euro 2016 was confirmed on Wednesday.

The 34-year-old announced his international retirement earlier this week having scored 62 goals in 116 appearances for his country - more than any other Swedish player in history.

The 1-0 defeat to Belgium in Nice meant Sweden finished bottom of Group E with just one point from their three matches.

Ibrahimovic, who has already agreed personal terms for a move to Manchester United but has yet to reveal whether he will move to Old Trafford next season, admitted he was disappointed by the result but said he made "many fantastic memories" of representing his country.

“It feels heavy. It feels disappointing but at the same time I enjoyed it. We had the possibility of playing in the European Championships, I represented Sweden at this tournament so at the same time I am proud,” he said.

“This was my last game and I have many fantastic memories of the national team. “It is a nice story as where I came from, what people called the little ghetto, I made the country my country. Sweden.”

The former Ajax, Internazionale, Juventus, Barcelona, Milan and Paris Saint-Germain striker played in two World Cups and two European Championships for his country and was named Sweden's best footballer eight times.

Guardian sports