Sign In
Register
Help
Quote
Zlatan Ibrahimovic says he will not take part in friendly matches for his native Sweden as he wants to focus on playing for Barcelona.
The 28-year-old joined Barca from Inter Milanhttp://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif in the summer and has scored 10 goals in La Ligahttp://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif this season, making him the division's second highest scorer.
Ibrahimovichttp://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif says domestic duties take priority over international fixtures that he has 'o motivation' for.
Barca take on Dynamo Kievhttp://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif and Espanyol before the Christmas break begins next week and the striker believes Sweden's failure to qualify for the World Cuphttp://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif renders any friendlies in between pointless.
"It has always been a great honour (to play for Sweden)," Ibrahimovic said. "For the time being I won't play for the national team because I am not motivated.
"There are no important matches or the World Cup and so it's very difficult. It would be expending energy for no reason, a sacrifice for nothing."
Josep Guardiola's men are fighting for trophies on three fronts - the Primera Liga, Copa del Reyhttp://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif and the Champions League and Ibrahimovic said the volume of games gave him little time to worry about international duties.
The former Juventus man did not rule out a return to playing in friendlies for Erik Hamren'shttp://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif side in future though.
"There are so many games with Barcelona and so many things to think about I hardly have time to think about the national side," he added.
"I don't know what could happen in the future, let's see what happens next year."
The 28-year-old joined Barca from Inter Milanhttp://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif in the summer and has scored 10 goals in La Ligahttp://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif this season, making him the division's second highest scorer.
Ibrahimovichttp://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif says domestic duties take priority over international fixtures that he has 'o motivation' for.
Barca take on Dynamo Kievhttp://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif and Espanyol before the Christmas break begins next week and the striker believes Sweden's failure to qualify for the World Cuphttp://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif renders any friendlies in between pointless.
"It has always been a great honour (to play for Sweden)," Ibrahimovic said. "For the time being I won't play for the national team because I am not motivated.
"There are no important matches or the World Cup and so it's very difficult. It would be expending energy for no reason, a sacrifice for nothing."
Josep Guardiola's men are fighting for trophies on three fronts - the Primera Liga, Copa del Reyhttp://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif and the Champions League and Ibrahimovic said the volume of games gave him little time to worry about international duties.
The former Juventus man did not rule out a return to playing in friendlies for Erik Hamren'shttp://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif side in future though.
"There are so many games with Barcelona and so many things to think about I hardly have time to think about the national side," he added.
"I don't know what could happen in the future, let's see what happens next year."
Source: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528, 11827_5753919,00.html
Good news for Barcelona really as it saves the player being risked by injury in these international games and he is right, what's the point in playing in friendlys unless they're in preperation for a major tournament?
MultiQuote