Zlatan Ibrahimovic Names Favourite Player Of All Time And Argues He Is The 'Football GOAT'

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has praised the "phenomenal" Ronaldo and insisted that the legendary Brazilian is the best footballer of all time.

The 39-year-old Swedish striker has had a prolific playing career that has seen him enjoy successful spells at Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United and AC Milan.

Ibrahimovic, who is widely regarded as one of the best strikers of all time, admitted that Ronaldo was the player he wanted to emulate in his playing career.

And the former Juventus and Inter Milan star added that Ronaldo is one of a kind and that "kind of football player [you didn't have] before and you don't have it today."

Ibrahimovic told United's official website: "I think Ronaldo was phenomenal. He was the player that whatever he did it became wow! He could do a difficult thing and it became magic.

"He would take the ball and it was like him saying, 'I'll take care of it now.' You didn't have that kind of football player before and you don't have it today. He doesn't exist.

"As a young player, I watched him and said to myself, 'I want to be exactly like that' [...] the player who makes the difference, the shining light, simple as that."

Ronaldo is widely regarded by many fans as the best striker of all time after his illustrious playing career for club and country.

Jose Mourinho snubbed Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the GOAT debate as he insisted nobody could touch the two-time World Cup winner for his "talent and skill."

Barcelona captain Messi, 33, has also argued that Ronaldo was a "phenomenon" and the best striker he has ever seen.

Brazilian legend Ronaldinho has previously suggested that Ronaldo is one of three players who could be considered as a better player than six-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Football News, Football, Serie A, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ronaldo, AC Milan

Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz is a journalist for SPORTbible. He studied for a B.A. in History at the University of York and followed it up with an M.A. in Multimedia Journalism at MMU. Before he started writing about sports, he spent over four years in the gaming press. He has worked for several publications, including Hardcore Gamer, LADbible and the Manchester Evening News. Follow him on Twitter to find out what he is working on next. Got a story tip for Adnan? Email him: [email protected]

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