Barcelona forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic confirmed on Friday he was ready to play for Sweden again, ending a long break.
The 28-year-old took a break in November, saying he lacked motivation to play for Sweden after it failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup and there were no other important matches.
“You have to be motivated,” Ibrahimovic said at a joint news conference in his hometown Malmo with Sweden coach Erik Hamren.
“This decision is completely my own,” the Sweden striker said, adding he “wanted to win” and that sentiment was required by “everyone” involved in the national team including the players, management and others.
Ibrahimovic said he was prepared to play “every match” if the coach needed him while Hamren said it might be necessary to rest Ibrahimovic on occasion.
Hamren said Ibrahimovic could play in several positions, depending on the other players available for Sweden.
Sweden plays it first Euro 2012 qualifying game September 3 against Hungary. The group also includes World Cup finalists Netherlands, Finland, Moldova and San Marino.
Ibrahimovic said it was “not an easy task” but if the team was “focused” he believed Sweden could qualify for the Euro 2012 championships.
Hamren was named successor to Lars Lagerback who stepped down in October after Sweden’s failed qualifying campaign.
