The Reason Why Zlatan Won't Play

It's all really very simple. Zlatan has the potential to become the number one brand in Football, on par with Henry, Ronaldinho, Beckham and Ronaldo. That is what he and his advisors are after. Playing a friendly against Egypt before the end run of Serie A and The Champions League simply plays no part in those plans. Nor does, really, qualifiers against the likes of Northern Ireland or Liechtenstein. That the Swedish press are tying themselves into knots over the schism between Ibra and Lagerbäck is just silly, rather I would point to the fact that neither Raiola (his agent), his father or his wife gives a flying psychotic fuck about the Swedish national team or the Swedish market anymore. Ibra has outgrown that. If it becomes in the interest of the brand to play for Sweden again, he will. Otherwise not.

"Always follow the money."

- Commander Vimes (Terry Pratchett)