Cristiano Ronaldo is not a Natural Talent – Ibrahimovic

Cristiano Ronaldo is not a Natural Talent – Ibrahimovic

While most football fans struggle to pick a favourite Ronaldo or adequately place them among all-time greats, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has no such difficulties as he feels O Fenomeno shades his namesake rivals.

Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has undoubtedly earned his place in the pantheon of greatness, joining the likes of Brazilian icon Ronaldo, himself a former Real Madrid star, and the Barcelona legend Ronaldinho.

However, for Ibrahimovic, there are distinct differences between the three legends, with the iconic no 9 standing out, Goal writes.

“I think Ronaldo, Il Fenomeno, was the best,” he told ESPN Brasil. “For me, it was an example of what football is. Everything he did something that made you think ‘wow’. The way he dribbled and the way he ran.

“Ronaldo was natural, he was born to be what he was. It was not something he trained to become. This type of player is not made, he is born. He is unique.

“We [Ronaldinho and Ibrahimovic] played together at AC Milan, but he did not live the best days as before, but I loved it when we played and he was running with his hair messed up, dribbling fast and when he wanted to, he made others look like kids around him.

“As for Cristiano Ronaldo, we did not play together. It is different because it is the result of hard training. It is not natural.”

Ibrahimovic, 35, has been on terrific form for Manchester United and believes he’s got a few more years ahead of him, suggesting he could even consider a move to Brazil.

“Maybe I should go to Brazil, you never know… (Maybe) I’d enjoy my football there.”