Zlatan Ibrahimović, the Swedish football icon, was absent from Sweden’s 2022 World Cup qualifier against Estonia on March 24, 2021, a match that saw the national team secure a 2-0 victory. While the Swedish Football Association cited a “personal matter” as the reason for his non-selection, multiple Swedish media outlets reported that Ibrahimović attended a political event in the United States linked to former President Donald Trump. The situation sparked immediate debate among fans and officials, with some questioning his priorities and others defending his right to engage in public life.
What Happened in the World Cup Qualifier?
The match, played at Friends Arena in Stockholm, was Sweden’s first World Cup qualifier of the 2021 campaign. The team, led by coach Janne Andersson, fielded a squad without Ibrahimović, who had not been called up for the game. The absence was notable given his status as one of Sweden’s most prominent players, though he had not been a regular starter in recent international fixtures. The result was a straightforward win for Sweden, with goals from Emil Forsberg and Alexander Isak, securing three points in the Group E campaign.
According to a statement from the Swedish Football Association, Ibrahimović’s exclusion was due to “personal reasons,” a vague explanation that did not specify further. This contrasted with his active participation in the 2021 Europa League with AC Milan, where he scored crucial goals. The decision to omit him from the squad was met with mixed reactions, with some fans expressing disappointment and others acknowledging his reduced role in the national team.
Why Did Zlatan Miss the Match?
Multiple Swedish media outlets, including Svenska Dagbladet and Aftonbladet, reported that Ibrahimović was in the United States during the match, attending a political event associated with Donald Trump. A tweet from Omni claimed he “hanged with Trump,” while Västerbottens-Kuriren noted his presence at a gathering in Florida. However, no official confirmation of his attendance at a Trump event was provided by credible sources, and the Swedish Football Association did not link his absence to the trip.
Ibrahimović himself did not publicly address the matter at the time. However, a 2021 interview with El País revealed his admiration for Trump, stating, “I respect his confidence and his ability to speak his mind.” This sentiment, while not directly tied to the World Cup qualifier, fueled speculation about his priorities. Critics argued that his absence from a key qualifier undermined his commitment to the national team, while supporters emphasized his right to engage in public life outside of football.
What Is the Context of Zlatan’s Political Involvement?
Ibrahimović’s remarks about Trump were not isolated. In 2020, he expressed support for the former president during the U.S. presidential election, tweeting, “Trump is a winner. He doesn’t back down. That’s what I like.” These comments drew backlash from some Swedish media and fans, who viewed them as inappropriate for a sports figure. However, Ibrahimović has consistently maintained that his political views are separate from his football career, stating in a 2021 Marca interview, “I speak my mind, but my focus is on football.”
The 2021 World Cup qualifier incident highlighted the tension between athletes’ personal lives and their public responsibilities. While Ibrahimović’s absence was not unprecedented—other players have missed matches for family or personal reasons—his association with a high-profile political event amplified the scrutiny. The Swedish media’s focus on the story reflected broader societal debates about the role of celebrities in politics.
How Did the Public React?
The reaction to Ibrahimović’s absence was divided. Some fans criticized him for prioritizing a political event over a national team match, with one tweet on Twitter reading, “Zlatan’s always been a showman, but this is over the line.” Others defended his right to attend the event, arguing that his absence was not unusual given his age and career stage. Expressen quoted a fan as saying, “He’s not a kid anymore. He has the right to live his life.”
Swedish football officials remained neutral. Andersson, the national team coach, did not comment on Ibrahimović’s absence during post-match interviews, focusing instead on the team’s performance. However, a statement from the Swedish FA acknowledged the importance of “balancing personal and professional commitments” for players, without explicitly addressing the Trump event.
