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Zlatan Ibrahimovic named Brazilian legend Ronaldo Nazario as the greatest footballer of all time back in 2021. He notably snubbed modern greats Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The debate over who the best player in the sport is has dragged on for years and continues to divide football fans. In recent times, the football GOAT (Greatest of All Time) discussion has been between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, largely due to their longevity. The duo are the two most decorated players in Ballon d’Or history, having won the award 13 times between them.
However, Ibrahimovic, known for his no-holds-barred opinions, threw his weight behind O Fenômeno in the GOAT discussion, stating that Ronaldo Nazario was the greatest player in history. The former AC Milan star told Discovery+ Sweden in 2021 (via The Sun):
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"Ronaldo, El Fenomeno, he's the best of all time. For me, that Ronaldo is football, the way he moved. He's the greatest player in history, without a doubt."
Ronaldo Nazario, a two-time Ballon d'Or winner and World Cup champion, was widely considered among the greatest-ever strikers during his peak years in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He was renowned for his blistering pace, flawless technique, and brilliant finishing.
When Zlatan Ibrahimovic said he does not consider himself a lesser player than Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi
Interestingly, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has also been vocal about how he views his place among the game’s elite. Back in 2021, in an interview with France Football (via GOAL), the former Sweden international claimed that he stood shoulder to shoulder with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in terms of pure footballing qualities.
"If you're talking about intrinsic qualities, I have nothing less than them. If you look at the trophies, [then] yes I didn't win the Champions League. But I don't know how you calculate it. I'm not obsessed with it. Because when you do good things collectively, the individual follows. The individual cannot be good if the collective is not good."
He added:
"[Do] I miss the Ballon d'Or? No, it's Ballon d'Or who misses me! Deep down, I think I'm the best in the world. I don't think it's relevant to compare players with each other. Everyone has played in their generation, with different teammates … [it's] difficult to compare. I think everyone has their story and should face it."
While Ibrahimovic could hold his own with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in terms of trophies won, the Swede never managed to win the UEFA Champions League and football’s biggest individual prize, the Ballon d’Or.
