The Swedish team might have missed out on Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s name for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, but the former Manchester United player had promised his fans that he will be a part of the mega event. The striker proved to be the man of his words. He was seen in Moscow, Russia catching up on the opening ceremony of the World Cup 2018.

Zlatan’s visit was sponsored by Visa’s FOMO (“Fear Of Missing Out”) campaign. He put out several videos and pictures on his social media handles to keep his fans updated about his whereabouts. He shared a video with a caption, “I promised the world I would be on the pitch at the FIFA World Cup™. Between Zlatan and Visa, genius found a way.#VisaAmbassador.”

I promised the world I would be on the pitch at the FIFA World Cup™. Between Zlatan and Visa, genius found a way.#VisaAmbassador

A post shared by Zlatan Ibrahimović (@iamzlatanibrahimovic) on

He posted another picture with a caption, “Now the World Cup can officially begin #minoraiola.”

Now the World Cup can officially begin #minoraiola

A post shared by Zlatan Ibrahimović (@iamzlatanibrahimovic) on

Here’s another picture shared by the fans.

A post shared by Ibra10 (@z_king_of_football) on

 

Zlatan on the ground.

While speaking to fifa.com, Zlatan picked his favourite side for the mega event. “I pick the Visa team because we are the biggest favourite to win, and then I will give you other teams that have a possibility to win: I think Brazil, Spain, Germany, obviously Sweden. Argentina also, even if they don’t want to speak about themselves as favourites: they are. I am sorry the US is not in the World Cup because that’s my new country where I live, and I would support them also,” he said.

Talking about his chances of playing the world cup, he said, “It was clear that I was not going to be in the national team playing, but like I said four years ago and I say it again now: the FIFA World Cup without me is not worth watching! I really mean that. But it is now possible that I will be present anyway, and I will enjoy the World Cup from close up. So as a partner with Visa, I am happy for that. We will be there, and we will take over.”

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 15, 2018 10:23 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).