Zlatan Ibrahimovic is famous for his bold opinions about the game and its stars. Recently, he named his top three players in soccer history, notably leaving Cristiano Ronaldo off the list.
In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Ibrahimovic shared his reasons for selecting these players. “Ronaldo ‘The Phenomenon’ Nazario — he was soccer. He’s the kind of player you want to imitate,” he stated, highlighting the Brazilian as his main inspiration.
“I’ll place Maradona in second. He was genuine — he played with his heart and emotions,” added Ibrahimovic, showing his admiration for the Argentine legend.
“For third, I’m saying Messi. He’s won… there’s hardly anything left for him to achieve,” said Zlatan, putting his former Barcelona teammate in third place. The list reflects Ibrahimovic’s respect for the greats of the game but is surprising given the exclusion of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Lionel Messi, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thierry Henry during a Barcelona game.
Ibrahimovic’s rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo
One reason Ronaldo was not included could be the ongoing rivalry between him and Ibrahimovic. Their relationship was marked more by verbal exchanges than by direct competition — driven by both players’ strong personalities.
Zlatan, known for his strong statements, has frequently minimized Ronaldo’s achievements, suggesting that Ronaldo’s successes in leagues came with the support of world-class teammates.
Despite their rivalry, they shared some significant moments on the pitch, especially in Serie A and international matches. The most notable was during the 2014 World Cup playoffs, when Ronaldo’s hat trick eliminated Zlatan’s Sweden. Ibrahimovic still showed respect for Ronaldo, recognizing his talent with a simple gesture.
Traits of Zlatan’s favorite players
Looking at his choices, it’s clear why these three legends influence Ibrahimovic. He often cites Ronaldo Nazario as his main role model, and despite his height, Zlatan shows glimpses of the Brazilian’s creativity. Maradona’s passion and confidence align with Ibrahimovic’s character, while Messi exemplifies excellence and consistency — qualities every player aspires to reach.