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Stoke’s Shawcross: Zlatan ended my England career in ten minutes

Stoke City v Chelsea - Premier League

STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 07: Ryan Shawcross of Stoke City looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Stoke City and Chelsea at Britannia Stadium on November 7, 2015 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

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Ryan Shawcross has earned just one cap for the England national team, coming on as a late substitute in a 2012 match against Sweden with the Three Lions leading 2-1.

In the 15 minutes that Shawcross played at center-back, Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored three goals as Sweden went on to win 4-2.

[ MORE: International friendly preview ]

You may remember that match, as Zlatan completed his hat-trick with that ridiculous 30-yard bicycle kick.

Shawcross has not been called into the national side since, despite delivering consistent performances as the captain of Stoke City.

Speaking to The Telegraph, the 28-year-old said he still gets reminded about the day Zlatan ended his England career.

I’m the butt of the joke in my family, just because the 10 minutes I had in international football was ruined by one man.

They are consistently saying that Zlatan ruined my career! I had a chance and I don’t think many other defenders have stopped him.

I was given 10 minutes to show what I could do and probably didn’t provide a good enough performance. I was against one of the best strikers in the world who was on a hot streak at the time and these things happen.

I’ve been playing well for the last three or four years and I don’t seem to be getting in so I can’t see it changing in the future unless the manager changes.


Potters’ boss Mark Hughes has been a vocal supporter of his captain, believing Shawcross should be a regular in Roy Hodgson’s England side.

[ MORE: Raheem Sterling could miss remainder of season for Man City ]

Shawcross has been a stalwart on the Stoke back-line for nearly ten years now, one of the key reasons the Potters are currently pushing for a spot in Europe. If Zlatan does end up in the Premier League next season, he may finally have his shot at revenge...