Swedish defender Olof Mellberg recently announced his retirement from football after a career spanning more than a decade of top-level football. Since making his debut in 1996 with Degerfors IF, Mellberg had gone on to represent the likes of Aston Villa, Juventus, and Villarreal. After one year spell at Copenhagen, he has decided to hang up his boots. The 36-year-old retired from Swedish international duty in 2012 after 12 years of service. During this period, he made 117 appearances for the national team.
Paris St Germain superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic says that Mellberg is the greatest defender to come from Sweden. Ibrahimovic is widely regarded as one of the best players in the world. Mellberg will be extremely delighted to hear of such a glowing praise from Ibrahimovic. The Sweden national team has a number of ageing players and the retirement of Mellberg once again things this into concern. Ibrahimovic recently stated that he was extremely worried about the future of the national team considering that a number of their important players are above the age of 30.
Ibrahimovic himself is at the latter end of his career at 32 years of age. The former Juventus striker has 98 appearances for the Swedish National team and he is close to reaching the tally set by Mellberg.
“The day Olof Mellberg decided to quit the national team it was a great loss to Swedish football and the team. But to me personally it was an even greater loss. When I had him on the team I never had to look back because I knew he was behind me and I could concentrate on what was going on up ahead. Olof was the person that trigged and challenged me. This drove me to want to do more on the pitch,” said Ibrahimovic about the former Aston Villa man.
Swedish defender Olof Mellberg recently announced his retirement from football after a career spanning more than a decade of top-level football. Since making his debut in 1996 with Degerfors IF, Mellberg had gone on to represent the likes of Aston Villa, Juventus, and Villarreal. After one year spell at Copenhagen, he has decided to hang up his boots. The 36-year-old retired from Swedish international duty in 2012 after 12 years of service. During this period, he made 117 appearances for the national team.
Paris St Germain superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic says that Mellberg is the greatest defender to come from Sweden. Ibrahimovic is widely regarded as one of the best players in the world. Mellberg will be extremely delighted to hear of such a glowing praise from Ibrahimovic. The Sweden national team has a number of ageing players and the retirement of Mellberg once again things this into concern. Ibrahimovic recently stated that he was extremely worried about the future of the national team considering that a number of their important players are above the age of 30.
Ibrahimovic himself is at the latter end of his career at 32 years of age. The former Juventus striker has 98 appearances for the Swedish National team and he is close to reaching the tally set by Mellberg.
“The day Olof Mellberg decided to quit the national team it was a great loss to Swedish football and the team. But to me personally it was an even greater loss. When I had him on the team I never had to look back because I knew he was behind me and I could concentrate on what was going on up ahead. Olof was the person that trigged and challenged me. This drove me to want to do more on the pitch,” said Ibrahimovic about the former Aston Villa man.