Veteran striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic could make a return to international football after the 41-year-old was recalled for Sweden’s squad ahead of their European Championship qualifiers in March.

The AC Milan striker has been sidelined for much of the season because of a knee injury.

Despite making only three appearances from the bench for Milan thus far, Sweden Boss Janne Andersson still believes the former captain can add that extra momentum to their campaign, as per The Athletic.

“Zlatan has made three slightly longer appearances now in (AC) Milan and feels alert and in decent shape even though he has been away for a while. So from that perspective, I think he can add (to the team). Above all on the field, but also on the side of the field,” said Andersson.

While Ibrahimović’s presence is seen as an additional leadership component to the team, Andersson has however tempered expectations of his role.

The striker may not necessarily be a starter in the squad, but, will offer experienced quality in the team’s “substitution possibilities” Anderson noted.

Sweden is set to face Belgium and Azerbaijan later this month.

Zlatan who initially quit international football after Euro 2016, returned in 2021 for their unsuccessful World Cup qualifying campaign.

Ibrahimovic is Sweden’s all-time leading scorer with 62 goals in 121 international appearances.