Jim Gottfridsson made his national team debut in 2012, but had to wait until the Rio de Janeiro Olympics four years later to compete in his first championship.
Since then, "Gotte" has been a key player for the Blue and Yellows for a decade. The tactically astute centre-back and playmaker was named the European Championship’s overall MVP both when Sweden won silver in Zagreb in 2018 and gold in Budapest in 2022.
Now the 34-year-old, who has said he aims to be part of the Blue and Yellow team at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, is no longer in the Swedish national team.
“Always difficult decisions”
Aftonbladet was first to report that the star had been dropped for the first time in ten years. The news was confirmed on Tuesday when national team coach Michael Apelgren announced the squad for the European Championship qualifiers against Greece and Luxembourg in November.
It’s always difficult to make decisions when we’re picking these squads, but it’s clear that it feels extra special when it’s one of our best players of all time, says Michael Apelgren.
According to the national team coach, Eric Johansson, Nikola Roganovic, Felix Claar and Axel Månsson are currently ahead of Gottfridsson among the right-handed backcourt players.
"It’s clear that it’s sad. I’ve always valued the national team highly and never said no. So, as I said, it’s sad for me, " Gottfridsson tells Aftonbladet.
Gottfridsson is included in the 35-player extended squad for the World Championship in Germany in January. Despite being dropped on Tuesday, the 34-year-old hopes he has not played his last international match.
"The last thing that abandons you is hope and I really hope. I still believe that I have a lot of experience that this team needs," he tells the newspaper.
“Straight talk”
"Gotte" was let go by Pick Szeged, where Apelgren is the coach, this spring, and now he has been dropped from the national team just six months later. Asked about his relationship with Gottfridsson, who moved back to his former club IFK Ystad in Sweden’s second division this summer, the national team coach says:
It’s been good. It’s been straightforward and nothing weird, even though there have been some special situations we’ve found ourselves in.
Another notable omission from the European Championship qualifying squad is Barcelona’s Jonathan Carlsbogård, also a key player in the national team for several years.
He says no because we can’t guarantee playing time going forward. I understand him and respect that, there are "no hard feelings," says Apelgren.
Like Gottfridsson, Carlsbogård is still included in the preliminary squad for the World Championship.
Meanwhile, Lucas Pellas is making a comeback for Sweden, just over 20 months after tearing his Achilles tendon. He and Emil Mellegård are selected as left wingers in the absence of the injured Hampus Wanne.
Sweden will play Greece in Växjö on November 5, then face Luxembourg away three days later.
Goalkeepers: Fabian Norsten, Mikael Appelgren, Simon Möller.
Left wingers: Emil Mellegård, Lucas Pellas.
Line players: Max Darj, Felix Möller, Oscar Bergendahl.
Right wingers: Daniel Pettersson, Sebastian Karlsson.
Left backs: Eric Johansson, Olle Forsell Schefvert.
Centre backs: Felix Claar, Nikola Roganovic, Axel Månsson.
Right backs: Albin Lagergren, Edwin Aspenbäck.
What do you think?