Tack, Zlatan.
Two words, in blue on a yellow background on a large screen.
On the large screen, pictures from many goals and other achievements during 22 years of service to the national team were displayed.
The phenomenal goal from almost no angle at all against Hungary in Budapest, the bicycle kick against Italy in EM 2004, the free kick against Denmark that took Sweden to EM 2016, the four goals against England and among them the incredible bicycle kick.
Goals, goals, goals.
For that was what, in the end, his outstanding career in all essentials was about. He broke Sven Rydell's goal record in the national team and he retired as the team's oldest player, against Belgium in the World Cup qualifier 2023, 41 years, five months, and 21 days old.
"Thanks for the show" was written on the banner as the supporter group "The Yellow Wall" unfolded.
The President of the Swedish Football Association, Fredrik Reinfeldt, presented a framed national team jersey and the General Secretary, Andrea Möllerberg, flowers. Old national team teammates and leaders lined up on one side along the blue mat.
Some familiar faces: Erik Hamrén, Lasse Lagerbäck, Daniel Majstorovic, Lasse Richt, Karl-Erik Nilsson, Håkan Sjöstrand, Marcus Allbäck, and Kim Källström.
On the other side, the current national team stood.
Then he came in, to the tune of his own version of "Du gamla, du fria" – and an enormous applause from nearly 50,000 spectators.
The 42-year-old also took the opportunity to send a greeting to the younger generation.
He concluded his speech with:
Whereupon he stepped off the stage and walked around the inner courtyard to meet the crowd's appreciation.
When Ibrahimović had composed himself after the farewell, he sent the following words:
"It feels very magical. I hadn't planned anything. I just wanted it to come from the heart and everything would be natural. The reception I got was emotional. It means a lot to me and it was huge. I don't know how many people get to experience something like that, but I'm one of them and I'm very grateful, very proud.
Throughout my career, I've only tried to give back as much as possible, from the Swedish people I've only known love from day one. They've given me support, they give me adrenaline, the strength to be able to give back as much as possible. After today, I don't know if words can describe it. It was very emotional.
When it becomes like this, it means you've done something big and it means a lot to one. It's a day I'll never forget. It will stay with me forever and I hope it gives inspiration to other people out there. That nothing is impossible, as I said on the pitch. Wherever you come from, just believe in it and you'll get there. Trust me. I'm a living proof of that. I still have adrenaline and once again from my heart. Thank you very much!
Born: October 3, 1981, in Malmö.
International matches/goals: 122/62.
Championships with the national team: World Cup 2002, 2006, EM 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016.
Senior clubs: Malmö FF–2001, Ajax 2001–2004, Juventus 2004–2006, Inter 2006–2009, Barcelona 2009–2010, Milan 2010–2012, Paris SG 2012–2016, Manchester United 2016–2018, Los Angeles Galaxy 2018–2019, Milan 2020–2023.
League titles (14): 2002 (Ajax), 2004 (Ajax), 2005* (Juventus), 2006* (Juventus), 2007 (Inter), 2008 (Inter), 2009 (Inter), 2010 (Barcelona), 2011 (Milan), 2013 (Paris Saint-Germain), 2014 (Paris Saint-Germain), 2015 (Paris Saint-Germain), 2016 (Paris Saint-Germain), 2022 (Milan) *Juventus was stripped of the league titles 2005 and 2006 in connection with the "Calciopoli" match-fixing scandal.
International cup titles (3): World Club Championship (2009), European Super Cup (2010), Europa League (2017).
Individual awards (selection): Twelve-time winner of the Golden Ball (2005, 2007–2016, 2020). Three-time Player of the Year in Italian Serie A (2008, 2009, 2011). Three-time Player of the Year in French Ligue 1 (2013, 2014, 2016).
Current: Honored by Swedish football after Sweden's national team match against Serbia at Friends Arena.
