Football pundits Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marciano Vink have praised two-time World Cup winner Ronaldo Nazario, calling the Brazilian striker one of the greatest and most unique players in soccer history.
Former Sweden star Ibrahimovic, speaking to beIN Sports, declared that Ronaldo represents the absolute embodiment of the sport, even over icons like Lionel Messi.
"I always tell everyone who plays with me: Ronaldo is football. That Ronaldo is football.
The way he moved, the way he did those stepovers, those mazy runs.
In my view, he is the best player in history, no doubt about it," said Ibrahimovic, a Fox Sports pundit.
Ibrahimovic and Ronaldo share career milestones: both achieved early European success in the Netherlands and played for Inter Milan, Barcelona, and AC Milan, though they never shared the pitch.
Meanwhile, former Dutch player Marciano Vink compared Kylian Mbappe to Ronaldo during an ESPN broadcast, noting that while Mbappe is close, Ronaldo remains unmatched in tight spaces.
"Hij komt wel in de buurt," replied Vink, an ESPN analyst.
Vink, who played alongside Ronaldo at PSV, emphasized that the Brazilian had superior technical skills on the flank and a clinical goal-scoring instinct, placing him among the top five players ever.
"Alleen Ronaldo was nog technischer op de hele kleine ruimte. Als je ziet wat hij op de zijlijn deed.
Met die goals tegen Celta de Vigo, maar ook momenten bij Inter en PSV. Ronaldo was nog completer dan Mbappé.
Qua snelheid zal het niet veel schelen, maar op de kleine ruimte was hij beter en bovendien was hij meer een echte goalgetter," added Vink.
Vink recalled Ronaldo's immense confidence and composure, noting how the striker would accurately predict his goal tallies before games at the highest level.
"Hij had nooit paniek voor die goal," continued Vink.
Vink concluded that Ronaldo's legendary status remains undisputed after his stints at Barcelona and Inter Milan.
"Als hij één-op-één ging, had hij die schaar. Of hij er nou langs moest spelen of langs moest dribbelen, het maakte hem niet uit.
Ronaldo zei echt wat ging doen. Hij zei: 'Ik maak er vandaag drie' en dan deed hij dat ook.
Dat was Ronaldo. Het was wel in de Nederlandse competitie, dat is wat anders.
Maar later bij FC Barcelona en Inter hoef ik niets over te zeggen. Ze zijn wel heel erg vergelijkbaar, maar het is echt geen discussie.
Die hoort bij de beste vijf ooit. Die was zó goed, hij was uniek," stated Vink.
