Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s Pick for the Greatest Soccer Player

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, renowned for his prolific career as a goal-scorer, has named Ronaldo Nazário as the greatest soccer player in history. Ibrahimovic, who retired in 2023 after an illustrious 24-year career, highlighted Ronaldo’s exceptional skills and impact on the game. “For me, Ronaldo is football,” Ibrahimovic stated in an interview with UEFA. “The way he moved and performed with the ball was extraordinary. I’ve always admired him.”

Ronaldo Nazário’s List of Top Soccer Players

In a 2022 interview with The Guardian, Brazilian icon Ronaldo Nazário revealed his personal list of the greatest players of all time. His selections included Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, Johan Cruyff, Franz Beckenbauer, Pelé, Marco van Basten, Ronaldinho, and himself. Notably, Cristiano Ronaldo was absent from this list. Ronaldo acknowledged the subjective nature of such rankings, saying, “Let the fans decide and debate. You can’t truly rank or compare players from different eras.”

Comparing Ronaldo Nazário and Cristiano Ronaldo

In a 2017 interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Ronaldo Nazário discussed the differences between his playing style and that of Cristiano Ronaldo. While both players are celebrated for their goal-scoring abilities, Ronaldo emphasized their distinct approaches to the game. “We interpret our roles differently, but our desire to score goals is similar,” he explained. He also praised Cristiano Ronaldo for his exceptional commitment and physical conditioning, acknowledging the dedication required to maintain peak performance.