Zlatan Ibrahimovic is "not your typical 34-year-old" and is passionate about playing for Sweden according to one of his former club managers, Carlo Ancelotti.
Ibrahimovic and Ancelotti worked together during the 2012-3 season at Paris Saint-Germain, which ended in the club winning the Ligue 1 title. Ancelotti moved on to Real Madrid at the end of the campaign, but Ibrahimovic stayed with the Parisians.
The Sweden striker's contract with the French club runs out on June 30, but he has so far refused to confirm ongoing speculation that he will sign for Manchester United afterwards.
In a column for the Daily Telegraph, Ancelotti said: "I know that he is 34 years old but anyone who has ever worked closely with footballers -- and knows a thing or two about their fitness and their stamina -- can see that Ibra is not your typical 34-year-old.
"When he says that he is getting better, he means it. He's certainly better than any 34-year-old footballer I know."
Ancelotti, who will replace Pep Guardiola as head coach of Bayern Munich, reflected fondly on his own time working with the Swede and said that the player's casual style on the field can be deceptive.
He added: "The thing about Ibra is this is a guy who always wants to win. I hear people saying that in some games he looks like he isn't trying.
"Trust me, this guy would chase the last pass in the last minute if a training session in July if he thought he could get the goal that won the eight-a-side."
Looking ahead to Sweden's game against Italy on Friday at Euro 2016, Ancelotti said: "Ibra will play for the team and he likes to bring other players into the game. He is passionate about Sweden which people overlook, because he has become such a big personality.
"Italy will find it very difficult to control him and if he's having a good day then the chances are that he will score.
"There's no secret to these big players, in the end it comes down to one thing: they really love playing football. It keeps them going and keeps them hungry for more."