The fact that Zlatan Ibrahimovic -- one of the world's greatest soccer players, but whose Sweden team did not qualify -- won't be playing in the World Cup this summer is nothing less than a global tragedy.
Even Ibra, never one for false humility, agrees. "One thing is for sure, a World Cup without me is nothing to watch," he said after Sweden lost to Portugal last November to miss out on a trip to Brazil. (Watch the highlight video, above, and you'll see he has a point.)
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There's no way Ibra can play in the World Cup -- this thing has rules, after all -- but many high profile Brazilians want him to come to South America, anyway. Some of Brazil's biggest soccer stars, celebrities and ordinary citizens alike star in the video, which has gained more than 700,000 views in two days on YouTube. Titled #VemIbra (translation: "Come here, Ibra"), it's quite charming.
Better yet, the campaign looks like it has worked. At least, that is, according to this post from Ibra's Twitter page:
Brazil! I think I’ll have to change my vacation plans... ;) #VEMIBRA #ZlatanUnplugged http://t.co/AVLQR28JoX pic.twitter.com/oJpDdcWDFi— Zlatan Ibrahimović (@Ibra_official) May 13, 2014
We have a feeling Ibra's going to have a very good time -- playing or not -- in Brazil this summer.