LA Galaxy's Zlatan Ibrahimovic: Chance of Sweden return at World Cup 'sky high'

LA Galaxy striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has given his strongest hint yet that he could be a part of Sweden's squad in this summer's World Cup in Russia.

Ibrahimovic has posted on his official Twitter account: "The chance of me playing in the World Cup is skyhga ["sky high" in Swedish]."

The 36-year-old retired from international football after Sweden's last match at Euro 2016, a 1-0 defeat to Belgium.

Ibrahimovic marked his first start for LA Galaxy with the winning goal in a narrow 1-0 victory over the Chicago Fire at Toyota Park on Saturday, after scoring on his debut against city rivals LAFC.

MLS will observe a nine-day break during the World Cup, from the opening match on June 14 running through June 22. Sweden have group-stage matches against Germany on June 23 and Mexico on June 27, with the Galaxy resuming play at the San Jose Earthquakes on June 30.

Last month, Ibrahimovic told Swedish media that "the door isn't closed for anything" and claimed that the Swedish FA was "calling me every day" to see if he would come out of retirement.

It has been reported that Ibrahimovic's commercial partnership with gambling platform Bethard is threatening to ruin his plans -- as a result of FIFA regulations on betting -- but he insisted last week that nothing would prevent him from being in Russia should he decide to go.

The former Manchester United and Barcelona forward told Eurosport: "FIFA can't stop me. If I want to be there, I'll be there."