Not Cristiano Ronaldo! Zlatan Ibrahimovic Names These Three Footballers As GOATs

Last Updated:October 14, 2025, 08:16 IST

Zlatan Ibrahimovic names Ronaldo Nazario, Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi as his greatest footballers, omitting Cristiano Ronaldo.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has omitted Cristiano Ronaldo from the list of his top 3 footballers (Picture credit: AFP)

Former Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has named Brazil’s Ronaldo Nazario, Argentina great Diego Maradona and his compatriot Lionel Messi as his three greatest footballers, omitting the latter’s contemporary Cristiano Ronaldo from the list.

Ronaldo plies his trade for Saudi Pro League team Al Nassr.

Regarded as one of the most prolific strikers of all time, Ibrahimovic had a stellar 24-year-long career.

In a recent interview with Gazetta dello Sport, Ibrahimovic named the three greatest players of all time, as he sees them.

“In my opinion, Ronaldo ‘The Phenomenon’ Nazario (was the greatest ever), he was soccer. He was the kind of player you want to imitate. I will give the second position to (Diego) Maradona," Ibrahimovic said.

“For me, he was a real one; he did everything with his heart, with his emotions. For the third, I am going to say (Lionel) Messi. He has won… I am not sure there is anything left for him to win," Ibrahimovic added.

In a 2016 interview for ESPN Brasil, the former Swedish striker claimed that he idolised Ronaldo ‘Fenomeno’ Nazario.

Playing for Premier League giants Manchester United at the time, Ibrahimovic heaped praise on legendary attacker Cristiano Ronaldo as well.

“I think Ronaldo ‘Fenomeno’. For me, he was an example of what football is. Everything he did was like ‘wow’. The way he dribbled, the way he ran, the way he scored goals, he was a genuine phenomenon," Ibrahimovic had said.

“What he (Nazario) did, I don’t think anyone will do again. Because it was all natural to him, it was not anything constructed. He was not designed… he was born to be what he was," Ibrahimovic added.

Although he suffered a multitude of injuries, Nazario racked up more than 400 goals at club level for world-class teams like Barcelona, Real Madrid, AC Milan and Inter Milan.

News sports Not Cristiano Ronaldo! Zlatan Ibrahimovic Names These Three Footballers As GOATs

Read More