Former Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has a clear preference between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, but he believes neither is the greatest of all time
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Lionel Messi wins record seventh Ballon d’Or: Darren Wells reports
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.
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Ibrahimvoic 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 Lewandowsi 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.”
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Image:
Bob Thomas/Getty Images)
Lewandowski, 33, finished as runner-up in the Ballon d’Or voting but there was some consolation as he was crowned Striker of the Year.
The award is presented by magazine France Football to the player who earns the most votes from a panel of journalists, and he only finished 33 points behind Messi on 580 compared to 613.
Messi’s first four Ballons d’Or came in consecutive years between 2009 and 2012, while he also lifted the golden ball in 2015 and 2019.
Brazilian Ronaldo clinched the award in 1997 and 2002 while playing for Inter Milan and Real Madrid respectively.
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