Zlatan Ibrahimovic said on Tuesday (21st June) that he will retire from international football after the European Championship.

Sweden are preparing to face Belgium in their final Group E fixture aware that only a victory will give them a chance to progress to the last 16.

However, the press conference was dominated, as is so often the case, by Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who took the opportunity to make an important announcement.

SOUNDBITE: (English) Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sweden team's captain

"The last game for Sweden in Euro will be my last game for Sweden. So I hope it will not be tomorrow. And I will not participate in the Olympics because my last game will be the last game Sweden does in this Euro. So lets hope it goes as long as possible."

Ibrahimovic is Sweden's all-time leading scorer with 62 goals in 116 appearances, but he and the rest of the squad are yet to find the back of the net at the Euros.

Sweden's only goal coming courtesy of an Irish own-goal in the opening match of Group F.

In a career so full of highs, a first round elimination would certainly rank amongst the lows, although Zlatan remained positive regarding it.

SOUNDBITE: (English) Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sweden team's captain (about Belgium)

"To finish in a disappointment? Never. Because I am very proud to be the captain of Sweden and what I have achieved. So I want to take this moment and thank all the supporters because they made it possible for me to achieve what I have achieved. Without them it wouldn't be possible. Wherever I go and wherever I come I will always bring the Swedish flag with me and stand with it. So for me a disappointment doesn't exist. Only proudness and gratefulness. I am very thankful."

While he may not consider it a disappointment, there is no doubt Zlatan would be thankful should he be able to wear the Sweden top one more time in the last 16.