Jim Gottfridsson made his national team debut in 2012, but had to wait until the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro four years later to compete in his first major tournament.
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 "MVP" both when Sweden won silver in Zagreb in 2018 and gold in Budapest in 2022.
Now Gottfridsson, who has said his goal is 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 left out of the squad 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 going to pick 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 Apelgren, Eric Johansson, Nikola Roganovic, Felix Claar and Axel Månsson are currently ahead of Gottfridsson as right-handed nine-metre players.
However, Gottfridsson is included in the 35-player preliminary squad for the World Cup in Germany in January.
“Straight talk”
"Gotte" was sacked by Pick Szeged, where Apelgren is the coach, this spring. Now, just six months later, he has been dropped from the national team. Asked about his relationship with Gottfridsson, who moved back to his former club IFK Ystad in the second division this summer, Apelgren 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.
Also notable in the European Championship qualifying squad is the absence of Barcelona's Jonathan Carlsbogård, who has also been a key player for 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 Cup.
Meanwhile, Lucas Pellas is making a comeback in Blågult, just over 20 months after tearing his Achilles tendon. He and Emil Mellegård have been selected as left-wingers in the absence of the injured Hampus Wanne.
Sweden plays Greece in Växjö on November 5, then faces Luxembourg away three days later.
Goalkeepers: Fabian Norsten, Mikael Appelgren, Simon Möller.
Left-wingers: Emil Mellegård, Lucas Pellas.
Pivots: 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.
