Yakubu Salisu
It was a rainy night in Sweden when a record was broken, and will continue to be
florished,by one of the worlds greatest players. Zlatan Ibrahimovic netted his 50th goal for his country tonight against Estonia in a European friendly at the
Friend?s Arena in Solna . ?The Magician? walked onto the pitch knowing he was
only 2 goals away from inking himself into the Swedish history books (as if he hasnt enough already) and was substituted breaking a record. Tonight was Zlatan?s 99th cap for his country, he will go on to have 100 caps during Sweden?s Euro 2016 qualifer on Monday against Austria .
His first goal for the Swedes was a classic swift turn of the body to propel a bullet
into the back of the net. His second of the night, at 24 minutes was technical back heel, that is unique to him and other greats before him. In celebration he ran into the side lines, unveiling a Sweden jersey with ?50+? beside the crest and a torso that read ?it?s you who made it possible?.
Due to the rules of the game, he was yellow carded accordingly. Either way,
what a class act.
The mighty Swede clearly had his mind set on defining himself into Swedish
history; the perfect way to preface his 100th cap for the country. Zlatan made his
first apperance for Sweden in 2001 when he was playing for Ajax . He played under the wonder of the time, Henrik Larsson and Kim Kalstrom (who still pleases Swedish fans today). His absence from the World Cup was something fans from all over the world regretted, but it is clear that this time around he has a point to prove.
Zlatan has spoken about retiring from high level football in 2016, but my hope is that he doesnt retire from international football until after the 2016 Euros. The best way to watch him downsize his football or retire all together, would be an impressive campaign in the Euro?s, sort of how Zidine Zidane did it. Just without the head butt.
At the age of 32, Ibra has only shown excellence with age and that allows fans
to think that perhaps he can claim even better form in the next two years.
Especially with the way he excels in leadership in Paris.
