Zlatan: There's only one Ronaldo and he's Brazilian
Ex-LA Galaxy star Zlatan Ibrahimovic has taken a dig at Juventus talisman Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of his likely return to Serie A.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has taken a swipe at Cristiano Ronaldo by saying the real Ronaldo was ex-Brazil legend Ronaldo Nazario.
Ahead of his likely return to Serie A, the former LA Galaxy striker has granted an interview to GQ Italia, in which he talks about AC Milan, his quarrels with Marco Materazzi and his preference for Ronaldo Nazario.
Cristiano's talent not natural - Ibrahimovic
Asked if he will find the real Ronaldo in Italy, the Swedish striker told GQ (via A Bola): “None of it! There is one Ronaldo, the Brazilian!”
Ibrahimovic also played down suggestions that Ronaldo had taken on a challenge by moving to Juventus.
"He signed for a team that won Serie A seven times in a row. Going to a club like that is not a challenge," explained the 38-year-old. "If he really wanted a challenge, he should have gone to Juve when they were in Serie B."
The comments will undoubtedly add some spice to the next AC Milan-Juventus fixture should Zlatan eventually re-sign for the Rossoneri.
It's not the first time that Ibrahimovic has compared the two Ronaldos. In an interview for ESPN Brazil back in 2016, the former Barcelona, Inter and Man United striker claimed that Ronaldo Nazario had "natural" talent, unlike CR7, whose talent is "the result of much training".
Zlatan's Serie A destination yet to be confirmed
Zlatan has been heavily linked with a return to Serie A since his decision not to renew his contract with La Galaxy – with Napoli, Bologna and Milan all reportedly interested in bringing the Swedish legend back to Italian football.
Earlier this week, Ronaldo was voted Serie A’s best player at the Gala del Calcio in Milan on Monday, the same night Lionel Messi scooped his sixth Ballon d’Or.