One name, predictably, began to dominate from the moment Sweden’s memorable ascension to World Cup 2018 was secured at Italy’s expense.
From last week’s tantalising “We are Zweden” celebratory tweet to a timely return for Manchester United this Saturday after seven months sidelined through injury, rampant speculation about whether the iconic and enigmatic Zlatan Ibrahimovic will end his international retirement hasn’t ceased.
Even placed more than 7,000 kilometres away in the bowels of Al Ain’s Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, former – and potentially future – Blagult strike partner Marcus Berg was not spared questioning about the status of Swedish football’s defining figure.
“I do not know what will happen,” he tells Sport360° minutes after Friday’s rollercoaster 2-2 draw with depleted Arabian Gulf League champions Al Jazira, in which his early brace was dramatically cancelled out by UAE hot shot Ali Mabkhout. “There have been a lot of discussions and it is, first of all, up to Ibra if he comes back fit and wants to do it.
“Then, it is a question for the coach. He is a world-class striker.
“He’s been away for some months, so it is maybe difficult at his age [36]. But I believe that he will come back as strong as he was before.”
“Now I just have to give back, and that’s what I will do.”@Ibra_official on repaying the support shown to him during his injury. #MUFC pic.twitter.com/IrrcbWg5ES
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 18, 2017
It is more than a year since Ibrahimovic last pulled on Sweden’s trademark yellow jersey. His retirement in the wake of a dreary group-stage exit at Euro 2016 saw him bow out as national top scorer, with 62 goals in 116 appearances.
Throughout the – so far – final cycle of his international career, a productive partnership with Berg was established. Yet freed of the great man’s presence, Sweden’s current no9 has blossomed.
A vital eight goals in 11 qualifiers on the Road to Russia – including four against minnows Luxembourg – set his nation on their way to a play-off against the Azzurri. There, a resolute display during both legs ensured their progression at the expense of four-time champions who last failed to feature in 1958.
But would the potential comeback of Ibrahimovic present a threat?
Berg replies: “I do not think like that. For me, I just focus on myself to help the team and do my best on the pitch.
“Then, it is up to the coach [Janne Andersson] to decide.
“We had a good feeling on the pitch. He is a fantastic player, so for me I just tried to move around him to create space for me and for him.
“I had a good last two years with him before he quit.”
#ماركوس_بيرغ يضاعف النتيجة للعين بالهدف الثاني بعد تمريرة عرضية مميزة من #عموري#العين_الجزيرة pic.twitter.com/DtrHgKf41B
— قناة أبوظبي الرياضية (@ADSportsTV) November 18, 2017
June’s move away from the sport’s European heartland has not held Berg back, thus far. An impressive six goals in seven top-flight run-outs has followed a €3.3 million (Dh14.3m) switch from Greece’s Panathinaikos, meaning he’s remained prolific for club and country.
Berg is fully aware of the symbiosis between gaining further success for the UAE’s most-decorated team in 2017/18 and sustaining his starting spot for Sweden at their first World Cup since 2006.
“We all want to play there, not all the players get the chance to play at a World Cup,” says Berg, who currently possesses 18 international goals in 52 matches.
“For me, it is a big, big dream. I hope to have a good season with Al Ain and achieve big things, after I’ll go to the World Cup.”
The painful stalemate in ‘Al Clasico’ ensured that Al Wasl gained sole leadership in the AGL. Al Ain will hope to stay in the hunt on Thursday when they travel to minnows Dibba Al Fujairah.
