Sweden boss Erik Hanren has admitted he does not know whether Zlatan Ibrahimovic has an international future.
Barcelona striker missing from Hamren's first squad
Sweden manager Erik Hanren has admitted he does not know whether Zlatan Ibrahimovic has an international future.
The Barcelona striker has not been named in the squad for the upcoming friendly against Italy after holding talks with Hamren over the weekend.
Hamren, who recently replaced Lars Lagerback at the Sweden helm, says it was Ibrahimovic who turned down the chance to play for his country.
And Hamren is now waiting to see whether Ibrahimovic has the commitment to make himself available for future games.
"I had a few talks with Zlatan yesterday," Hamren told
Fotbollskanalen.
"He is doubtful for a future with the national team and until he has made a decision, I won't call him to the squad.
"You can lead a horse to the water, but he has to drink himself."
Motivation
Hamren, who has also named former Aston Villa player Markus Allback as his assistant manager, admits it was not the ideal start to his reign to be rejected by Ibrahimovic.
"This is something that he has been thinking about for some time," explained Hamren.
"For me as a manager it is important that you have the motivation to play.
"For me the most important is that you have your heart in what you do.
"I was surprised, but I can have an understanding for his decision. It was the first time I spoke to him, and it was a good telephone call.
"Of course, I could have wished for a better start.
Sweden squad: Eddie Gustafsson (Red Bull Salzburg), Andreas Isaksson (PSV Eindhoven); Mattias Bjarsmyr (Panathinaikos), Mikael Dorsin (Rosenborgs), Andreas Granqvist (FC Groningen), Mikael Lustig (Rosenborg), Daniel Majstorovic (AEK Athens), Olof Mellberg (Olympiakos), Behrang Safari (Basel), Oscar Wendt (FC Copenhagen); Marcus Berg (Hamburg), Dusan Djuric (FC Zurich), Rasmus Elm (AZ Alkmaar), Viktor Elm (Heerenveen), Johan Elmander (Bolton), Samuel Holmen (Brondby), Tobias Hysen (Gothenburg), Kim Kallstrom (Lyon), Sebastian Larsson (Birmingham), Markus Rosenberg (Werder Bremen), Anders Svensson (Elfsborg), Gustav Svensson (Gothenburg), Pontus Wernbloom (AZ Alkmaar), Ola Toivonen (PSV Eindhoven)
