Follow usZlatan Ibrahimovic has never been afraid to stir debate, and his latest comments have done just that. When asked to name the three greatest footballers of all time, the 44-year-old Swede left out Cristiano Ronaldo — opting instead for a mix of legends who shaped the game in their own eras.
In an interview captured by 443, Ibrahimovic placed Lionel Messi third on his list. “For the third position, I’m going to say Messi,” he said. “He’s won… not sure if there’s anything left for him to win.” Having played alongside the Argentine at Barcelona during the 2009–10 season, Zlatan has long praised Messi’s extraordinary talent. “It’s like playing PlayStation,” he once said. “You give the ball to the guy and he goes through every player.”
In second place, Ibrahimovic chose Diego Maradona — a player he described as “a real one” who “did everything with his heart, with his emotions.” Growing up in the 1980s, Maradona’s fiery spirit and flair clearly left a lasting mark on the young Swede.
• Could you give us your top 3 of all time?
🚨🗣️ 𝗡𝗘𝗪: Zlatan: “Ronaldo (R9), Maradona and Messi.” pic.twitter.com/HqhE8X449C
— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) October 13, 2025
But at the top of Zlatan’s list sits Ronaldo Nazario, the Brazilian phenomenon. “In my opinion, Ronaldo, the phenomenon, the Brazilian, he was football,” he declared. “The way he moved, the way he did those stepovers, those mazy runs — he is the best player in history, no doubt about it.”
Cristiano Ronaldo becomes the first billionaire player 
Martinez praises captain Cristiano Ronaldo for his performances 
Maguire talks out on Ronaldo’s disappointing second period at Man Utd 
