appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

liveArticle

appConfig

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

sponsorType

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

sectionsV2

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

json

Agence France-Presse

Zlatan Ibrahimovic on Sunday warned Europe that “the legend can still deliver” as the Sweden captain prepares to make his mark on Euro 2016.
The 34-year-old, who has left Paris Saint-Germain after a prolific four-year spell, is back in the French capital for Monday’s European Championship Group E opener against the Republic of Ireland.
Sweden’s hopes of progressing from a group also containing Italy and Belgium rest largely on the brilliance of Ibrahimovic, who scored 11 times in the qualifying campaign.
When asked if he felt now was the time for him to dominate a major international tournament, he replied: “I have been dominating wherever I go. I have no issue about that.
“I am very confident. I go into the tournament with a strong season behind me and I am here in France, where I have been living for the last few years, to enjoy,”he said.

“I feel I am getting better and better with every year that passes.
“What I do every day is play football. You have to have the hunger to become a better player, to learn new things and work hard on the pitch.
“If you want it you are able to do it. I know what I want and I know I am going to do it.
“The legend can still deliver,” he added.
When announcing his departure from PSG last month, Ibrahimovic said he “came like a king, left like a legend”. He will leave as PSG’s all-time record goal-scorer and having won 12 trophies at the Parc des Princes.
Monday’s game against Ireland will be played at the same ground where Ibrahimovic made his last appearance for PSG in their French Cup final win against Marseille three weeks ago.
He scored 50 goals in all competitions in his final, prolific campaign at PSG and, with his contract up, a move to Manchester United is on the cards.

Ibrahimovic insisted on Sunday that “there is nothing to say” about that possible switch, with his focus for now firmly on the Euros.
As captain of a team otherwise lacking in star quality, Ibrahimovic, set to play in his fourth European Championship, admits there is great responsibility on his shoulders.
“There are many new players in the group. We always have pressure and probably I have the greatest pressure on my shoulders,” he said.
“I want to take the pressure off the team. I am used to it. I want them to enjoy it, to go out and play. That is the only thing you can do.
“There is no greater honour than playing a European Championship for your country, so I am sure all players will give 200 per cent for their country,” added the forward who, by scoring on Monday, will get ahead of Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo to become the first player to find the net in four separate European Championships.


Peru's alpine herders revive ancient technologies to face climate change in the future

‘None of us gain anything by it dragging’: Wales manager Chris Coleman wants future sorted out quickly

More than 100 arrested and HK$580 million in betting records seized in month-long Hong Kong police crackdown during Euro 2016

All hail the conquering heroes: why Portugal’s Euro 2016 win is sweet relief for a country with plenty of problems

2016 Uefa European Championship (Euro 2016)

Shy, retiring Zlatan Ibrahimovic declares: ‘The legend can still deliver’ at Euro 2016

Sweden's forward and captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic controls a ball . Photo: AFP

Sweden's forward and captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic controls a ball during a training session at the Stade de France stadium in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on June 12, 2016 on the eve of the Euro 2016 football match between Ireland and Sweden. / AFP PHOTO / JONATHAN NACKSTRAND

Sweden's forward and captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic (C) enters the pitch with his teammates during a training session at the Stade de France stadium in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on June 12, 2016 on the eve of the Euro 2016 football match between Ireland and Sweden. / AFP PHOTO / JONATHAN NACKSTRAND

Sport

Football

Swedish star says he’ll continue ‘dominating’ against Italy and Belgium


Shy, retiring Zlatan Ibrahimovic declares: ‘The legend can still deliver’ at Euro 2016

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Swedish star says he’ll continue ‘dominating’ against Italy and Belgium

Swedish star says he’ll continue ‘dominating’ against Italy and Belgium