Zlatan Ibrahimovic is finally over the serious knee injury that has kept him out of action for almost a year and a comeback for Manchester United is on the cards soon, the striker told Reuters.
The 36-year-old was speaking following the announcement of a new partnership with technology company Samsung under which Sweden's record goalscorer will test and showcase new products for the South Korean firm.
Having sustained a bad knee injury in United's Europa League quarter-final against Belgian side Anderlecht in April, 2017, Ibrahimovic last appeared for the Premier League club on December 26 against Burnley.
He was replaced in that game at half-time and has since been confined to the sidelines, but asked when he would be pulling on the famous red shirt again, Ibrahimovic was clear.
'When I'm ready to perform. It's all about that,' he said.
The Red Devils were knocked out of the Champions League this week by Spanish side Sevilla and have only the FA Cup left to play for in terms of trophies, but Ibrahimovic is raring to go.
'I want to get to the point where I can perform as I haven't been able to take part so much during the season,' he said before hinting at an international comeback for Sweden in this year's World Cup in Russia.
'The thoughts are there the whole time, but if I want to, I'll be there,' said Ibrahimovic, who quit the national team after Euro 2016 having scored 62 goals, many of them spectacular, in 116 games.'
As the English season reaches its climax, managers, players and pundits have been at the centre of storms of criticism on social media in recent weeks, but it is not something that bothers Ibrahimovic.
'If you're that weak mentally (that it bothers you), then you're not the right man for the job. Just ignore those people, avoid it and do what you believe in,' he said.
Nor is he concerned by speculation linking him to one final lucrative move to China, the Middle East or Major League Soccer in the U.S. when his contract at Old Trafford runs out in June.
'Speculation has been there all my life. It's about focusing on the right things and doing the right things,' he said.
'I still want to play. It's nothing I can decide now, but the idea is to keep playing.'
Abdik
213
Would love to see him play, his experience is vital for Sweden ♥. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is one of those players alongside Buffon and Totti to prove age is just a number. #RESPECT
ALiSWaLeHaLi2
129
Do you know that when zlatan parents had nightmare they normally go and sleep in zlatan room Zlatan does not worried abt playing wc...but the competition worries to miss zlatan
satya_packirisamy
107
There is no better Sweden players than Ibrahimovic. He can able to play until his 45th age. And I still love watch him playing.. 😍
namabnsu
36
As a Striker, And former professional footballer- Players like Ibra have to have that mad confidence that borderline as egotistical to play his best- Even though Sweden aren't a football powerhouse- On this you can bet - If Ibra plays in the World Cup, Watching Sweden's matches surely won't be boring- Would have loved to see how Man.Utd would have fared with a healthy Ibra all season- It's players like Ibra who make the beautiful game exciting- Best of luck whatever you choose to do, Zlatan the legend
xafal_dhakal
24
Zlatan didnt have a great season in MU so he should be in Russia to show all that Zlatan is God of football .His stamina is same as of his young age . He have to prove that Mourinho should have to regret about leaving the club .He is truely inspiring that age is just a number to play football . zlatan facts