Recently, Swedish international Hugo Larsson spoke about missing out on the World Cup squad in an interview with Swedish media outlet Fotbollskanalen. He stated that every footballer dreams of playing in the World Cup, so it was naturally disappointing to come so close but ultimately not be selected.

This summer, Hugo Larsson was left out of the World Cup squad. The 22-year-old midfielder has now returned to the Swedish national team and is speaking for the first time about his experience of not being selected for the World Cup squad.

"The days following coach Potter's call were really tough," said Larsson, a Fulham player.

Larsson, Roony Bardghji, and Williot Swedberg previously failed to make Graham Potter's World Cup squad for Sweden, a decision that sparked considerable controversy and discussion in Sweden at the time.

Now, after Mattias Svanberg withdrew from Sweden's UEFA Nations League autumn training camp, Larsson has returned to the national team.

The 22-year-old midfielder also discussed his experience of missing the World Cup.

"Of course, every footballer dreams of playing in the World Cup, and at that time, I was very close to it... I obviously wanted to be there. But in the end, it didn't happen. It made the summer a bit difficult, didn't it? However, I also have to say that I still had a very good summer. I had a lot of time with my family, friends, and girlfriend—time I don't usually get much of," said Larsson.

He continued, "I was involved with the team up until that point, so of course, I would have preferred to participate in the World Cup. But in the end, that wasn't the decision, and I just had to accept it. I had a very good summer, and then I completed my transfer to the Premier League, so overall, it was an incredible summer."

Larsson acknowledged that he was indeed sad and disappointed when he found out he wasn't selected.

"Of course I was at that time, but I quickly moved past it and started adjusting my mindset, accepting that I wouldn't be participating in the World Cup. Like I said, I had a very good summer."

He continued, "All players want to play in the World Cup, so I was disappointed for a day or two. It would be strange if I wasn't disappointed at all. But now that's long behind me. I'm very happy to be back here, and from what I understand, Potter is also happy to see me back."

Did you accept the explanation Graham Potter gave you at the time?

"Yes, I just had to accept it. After all, he's the head coach, and I have to respect that."

Larsson stated that he didn't hesitate when called back to the national team.

When asked about the details of his conversation with Potter, Larsson replied, "Those things are best kept between us, but we've always had positive communication. It wasn't a pleasant situation at that time (before the World Cup), but in the end, I respect his decision, and we have a good relationship."

After Larsson, Bardghji, and Swedberg were not selected for the World Cup squad, many voices of doubt emerged in Sweden.

For example, TV4 expert and former Swedish international Johan Guidetti found it completely incomprehensible and believed it was a poor World Cup squad.

Guidetti said on the program "Bollklubben" at the time, "I think this is a cowardly squad. You're excluding some players with character because you're afraid of a bad atmosphere in the team. As a national team coach, isn't it your job to find a way to bring all your best players together?"

Subsequently, Potter repeatedly emphasized that the exclusion of Larsson and others from the World Cup squad was purely for competitive reasons and had nothing to do with the players' personal character.

Larsson responded, "There may have been discussion, but I don't think it was initiated by you (the media at the press conference), but rather by some other reports and people discussing the national team. At least within our team, there was no such situation, so it has nothing to do with us."

He continued, "There were no such statements coming from us—neither from me, Graham, nor anyone else at the national team. It was created by people who don't understand the internal situation."

Meanwhile, Frankfurt sports director Markus Krösche also expressed strong dissatisfaction at the time over Larsson's omission from the World Cup squad.

He considered Sweden's decision not to call up Larsson "inexplicable" and "incomprehensible."

Responding to this, Larsson said, "I'm grateful that the club supported me at that time. They stuck to their view. But when your club or employer is willing to support and believe in you, that's certainly a positive thing."

Now, Larsson has returned to the Swedish national team and is pleased about it. "It's nice to see many familiar faces again, so it's very enjoyable to be back."

On Friday (CEST), Sweden will host Romania at the Strawberry Arena in their UEFA Nations League opener.

Larsson has made 12 appearances for Sweden's senior national team. His last national team call was in late March of this year for World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Poland, and his last appearance for Sweden was in a World Cup qualifier against Kosovo in early September of last year.

Diterjemahkan oleh AI.

Situs web AF kini hadir! Lihat berita lengkap, komentar, detail pertandingan, dan statistik di komputer Anda. Kunjungi: www.allfootballapp.com