When Zlatan Ibrahimovic speaks football listens. The Swedish legend has never been afraid to share his views and this time he has named his three greatest players of all time.
Ibrahimovic knows what greatness looks like with him playing for Ajax, Milan, PSG, Manchester United, La Galaxy and also had a short spell at Barcelona.
He played across two decades where he scored over 570 goals and won league titles in four different countries.
Who are Ibrahimovic’s top three players?
Ibrahimovic was recently asked to name his all-time top three footballer and the 43-year-old delivered his verdict with characteristic certainty.
“Ronaldo (R9), Maradona and Messi,” Zlatan said [via Touchline]
Cristiano Ronaldo’s omission could come as a surprise to conformists but people who have followed Ibrahimovic will know he has always preferred R9 to Ronaldo.
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His top pick, Ronaldo Nazario showed a kind of brilliance that statistics alone cannot capture as Brazilian was one of the transformative figure in attacking football in the late 1990s.
His career numbers and trophies are one to envy as well with R9 scoring 310 club goals and winning two FIFA World Cups as well.
• Could you give us your top 3 of all time?
— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) October 13, 2025
🚨🗣️ 𝗡𝗘𝗪: Zlatan: “Ronaldo (R9), Maradona and Messi.” pic.twitter.com/HqhE8X449C
Ibrahimovic’s second choice Diego Maradona is one of the greatest player to ever grace the sport and his performance in the 1986 World Cup with Argentina remains one of the sport’s most romantic tales that was defined by that slalom goal against England which still gives fans goosebumps.
Ibrahimovic placed Lionel Messi at third place. The Argentine eight Ballon d’Or titles and over 800 career goals with 2022 World Cup win makes him a symbol of sustained greatness.
Ibrahimovic played alongside Messi during the 2009/10 season at Barcelona before moving to AC Milan.