Zlatan Ibrahimovic has declared that he will not be prevented from playing at the World Cup… as long as he wants to.

Sweden’s all-time top scorer, 36, retired from international football in 2016, but has repeatedly claimed that he may return to feature in Russia this summer.

But it has been reported that Fifa rules will ban the LA Galaxy striker from returning, due to his partnership with Malta-based gambling company Bethard.

However, Ibrahimovic – who has yet to officially announce his availability – insists the governing body will not get in his way.

He said: “FIFA can’t stop me. If I want to be there, I’ll be there.

“Just as with the national team, if I want to play, I’ll play. This is not a question for FIFA, it’s a question for me and what I want.’’

Prior to his move to USA, he agreed to become the face of Bethard, founded in Sweden, but licensed in Malta.

This flouts FIFA’s ruling on players being associated with any form of football-related gambling.