Carson (United States) (AFP) – Zlatan Ibrahimovic refused to rule out his chances of playing for Sweden in the World Cup on Friday as he launched his Major League Soccer career with the Los Angeles Galaxy.

The veteran striker is at the centre of a national guessing-game in Sweden over whether he may or may not be brought out of international retirement for this year’s finals in Russia.

On Friday as he was unveiled by the Galaxy in California, Ibrahimovic was coy about playing in Russia.

“Let me first enjoy it here,” Ibrahimovic said. “What happens here will take it further. 

“But my focus is on Galaxy, prepare good for Galaxy, be available, help the coach, help the club, whatever they need.

“The World Cup is another question. I’ve said it before. Nobody needs to call anybody. If they want, I’m there.”

Sweden coach Janne Andersson has so far pointedly resisted the urge to make the first move, saying earlier in March that Zlatan could call him if he wanted to be considered for selection.

“Zlatan is very welcome to call me,” Andersson said, hinting he would not take the initiative.

Ibrahimovic however declined to clarify his hopes however when asked Friday if he wanted to play in the World Cup.

“Let’s keep them on their toes,” the striker said. “Let’s see. Because they’re all talking about whether I should go or if I should not go. Because they have it good, they have it bad. But so far they didn’t win nothing.

“And I know how to win.”

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Carson (United States) (AFP) – Zlatan Ibrahimovic revealed Friday he had initially hoped to join the Los Angeles Galaxy two years ago as he vowed to conquer Major League Soccer in the final chapter of his glittering career.

The 36-year-old Swedish superstar told reporters at a press conference he had planned to head to California after his stint with Paris Saint-Germain came to an end in 2016, before instead opting for Manchester United.

“This thing was supposed to happen a couple of years before, but it didn’t. But I’m here now,” Ibrahimovic told reporters at the Galaxy’s StubHub Center ground.

“So the destiny was that it was supposed to happen, it was only a question of when. Finally I’m here and I’m just excited, looking forward to playing.”

Ibrahimovic was speaking after training with his new team-mates for the first time earlier Friday after arriving in Los Angeles less than 24 hours earlier.

The veteran striker, who has not played since appearing for United against Burnley in December, has declared himself fit and available for Galaxy’s much-anticipated derby with Los Angeles FC on Saturday.

Ibrahimovic insisted he was raring to go after barely playing in the past 12 months as he recovered from a serious knee injury.

“I just want to go out on the field,” Ibrahimovic said. “I know it has been a long break for me. It’s been a long wait where I haven’t been in my rhythm where I play every day because of the injury.

“Now I want to go out, smell the grass, touch the ball. Today when we finished training, I just wanted to continue. I asked the coach ‘Can I shoot some more balls?’ And he said okay, so I just shot some more balls.”

– ‘I’ll die young’ –

Ibrahimovic, whose signing for Galaxy was announced last week, compared himself to Benjamin Button, the movie character who ages in reverse.

“I feel young,” he joked. “I feel like Benjamin Button. I was born old and I will die young. For sure. So don’t worry about my age.”

The striker, who will earn an estimated $3 million for two seasons in MLS, added that he had already proved sceptics wrong during his spell with United in the Premier League, where he scored 28 goals in 46 appearances before tearing knee ligaments last April.

“When I came to England they all said I was old, I came in a wheelchair,” Ibrahimovic said. “But after three months, I conquered England and they said I was flying. So age is only a number.

“I know what I am able to do, I know what I will do. I’ve come here to win. I’ve already brought my family. My wife can take care of the family and I can can take of what I’m good at —  playing football. I feel excited. The lion is hungry.”

Asked about the chances of his appearing for Galaxy on Saturday, he replied: “I’m available. I have so much adrenaline in me, so I think it can hold a long time. Let’s see.

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The LA Galaxy welcome Los Angeles FC to StubHub Center on Saturday in the first installment of Major League Soccer's newest rivalry