Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the iconic Swedish striker, has weighed in on the age-old debate of who the greatest footballer of all time is, and his answer might surprise many. While the names Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi often dominate the conversation, Ibrahimovic has instead chosen to highlight three other legends.
In an interview back in 2021 with beIN Sports, Ibrahimovic stated his admiration for Brazilian legend Ronaldo Nazario, describing him as "football itself". "The way he moved, the way he did those stepovers, those mazy runs. In my view, he is the best player in history, no doubt about it," Ibrahimovic said.
Ibrahimovic has also previously said that he believes Lionel Messi is better than Cristiano Ronaldo. However, he does not consider either of them to be the greatest of all time. When asked to choose between Messi and Ronaldo, Ibrahimovic told Corriere della Sera, "Both are very strong. I say Messi also because we played together".
Ibrahimovic's choice of Ronaldo Nazario stems from a deep-rooted admiration for the Brazilian's skill and impact on the game. "I don't need to describe Ronaldo, 'The Phenomenon'," Ibrahimovic said in an interview with Discovery Plus. "I always say you have the players that play the game, and the players that are the game. For me, Ronaldo is the game".
Ronaldo, often referred to as "Il Fenomeno," enjoyed a remarkable career, winning two World Cups with Brazil and earning two Ballon d'Or awards. He played for some of Europe's biggest clubs, including Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and AC Milan, showcasing his incredible talent and goal-scoring ability.
Interestingly, both Ibrahimovic and Ronaldo share some career similarities. Both began their European careers in the Netherlands, with Ronaldo at PSV Eindhoven and Ibrahimovic at Ajax. They also went on to play for three of the same clubs: Inter Milan, Barcelona, and AC Milan.
While Ibrahimovic holds Ronaldo in the highest regard, he has also, on occasion, humorously nominated himself as the GOAT. In an interview with Piers Morgan, when asked where he would rank himself among the all-time greats, Ibrahimovic responded, "I think I am the best...without joking,". He continued, "I'm the most complete player that ever exists".
Despite not winning a Champions League title or a Ballon d'Or, Ibrahimovic stands by his self-assessment, emphasizing his overall ability and impact throughout his career. He enjoyed a glittering career, winning league titles in the Netherlands, Spain, Italy and France, with Ajax, Barca, Juve/Inter/AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain respectively.
The debate over the greatest footballer of all time is subjective and often sparks passionate discussions among fans and pundits alike. While Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have dominated the modern era with their incredible goal-scoring records and numerous individual awards, Zlatan Ibrahimovic's choice of Ronaldo Nazario highlights the Brazilian's unique talent and the impact he had on a generation of footballers. Ultimately, the "GOAT" title remains a matter of personal opinion, with each player offering something special to the beautiful game.
