Messi Nor Ronaldo Is The Greatest Of All Time, Says Ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimovic claims Lionel Messi is a better player than his age-old adversary Cristiano Ronaldo, but he insists neither superstar is the greatest of all time.

The AC Milan veteran, 40, has been plundering goals at giant clubs across Europe for two decades, so he is well-positioned to pick between the Paris Saint-Germain forward and the Manchester United striker.

Regarded as the two most-exceptional talents of a generation, Messi and Ronaldo have shared an enthralling rivalry since their time on opposite sides of El Clasico with Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively.

But many believe Messi, 34, holds the advantage over his Portuguese counterpart, 36, after winning his seventh Ballon d’Or during Monday’s ceremony in Paris, as Ronaldo only has five awards to his name.

Ibrahimovic agrees the Argentine is the superior talent and recalled their 2009/10 season together at Camp Nou, but he suggested there is little to pick between the two greats.

“Both very strong. I say Messi also because we played together,” the Swede told Corriere della Sera when asked to pick between the pair.

However, Ibrahimovic passed over the legendary duo to name Brazilian icon Ronaldo as the best player to have graced the football pitch.

Asked for his definitive verdict on the greatest of all-time debate, he responded: “Ronaldo the Phenomenon. As a child I imitated him.”

Known as Il Fenomeno, Ronaldo won two World Cups, two Ballons d’Or and scored 414 goals for club and country across his breathtaking career.

The 45-year-old is widely regarded as the greatest ever centre-forward, while many view Robert Lewandowski as the best striker plying his trade today.

Ibrahimovic certainly seems to think so and declared the prolific Bayern Munich ace should have been presented with the 2021 Ballon d’Or ahead of Messi earlier this week.

He added: “Leo lives for football. But Lewandowski deserved the Ballon d’Or this year.”

Mirror

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