Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic delved into his own pockets to fund Sweden's national team for players with learning difficulties' trip to Brazil for the INAS World Football Championship.

The team qualified for the tournament, but their position was in doubt due to the cost of travelling to South America to compete.

Johan Elmander, Kim Kallstrom, Andreas Isaksson and Per Nilsson donated shirts and boots in a bid to raise the cash, but it fell short of the team's target.

After learning of the Swedish outfit's struggle, Ibrahimovic offered to hand over the rest of the funds, which amounted to around £30,000.

"It's unbelievable, incredible, fantastic," Eurosport quotes assistant coach Stefan Jonsson as saying. "I still have to pinch myself to believe it's true. Thanks to Zlatan a lifelong dream will soon become reality for all of us involved."

Ibrahimovic added: "Football should be played by anyone, regardless of gender, disability or not. When we missed out on the World Cup, I was deeply disappointed, but when I heard about 'the unknown team' I said to myself that I wanted to do everything in my power to help them to experience the World Cup. There was nothing to think about. It was a given."

Ibrahimovic's Sweden side missed out on their place in the World Cup after losing to Portugal in a playoff.