Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been making headlines ever since the start of the 2026 World Cup due to his entertaining and cutting punditry for FOX Sports. Now, the legendary striker has ranked the best performers this summer based on their individual performances.

The Swede didn’t have too much luck when it came to the biggest international stage, failing to find the net in either of his two World Cups. However, he’s still a revered figure in the game, with his opinion holding a lot of weight among players and fans.

As part of his role on FOX, Ibrahimovic has a regular segment called ‘King of the Jungle’. This is where he will regularly make changes to his top nine performers at the World Cup.

Cristiano Ronaldo Sneaks Into Ibrahimovic’s Rankings

Troy Taormina (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)

While actually tasked with giving his 10 best players at the United States, Canada and Mexico-hosted tournament, Zlatan has placed himself in the top spot permanently. So, ignoring that, Lionel Messi has been the star of the World Cup.

That’s reflected in Ibrahimovic’s rankings, as he’s rewarded the greatest footballer of all time’s performances with the top spot among active players. Messi netted a sensational hat-trick in Argentina’s opening game, before adding a brace against Austria.

Kylian Mbappe (2nd) and Erling Haaland (3rd) are two of the best strikers in world football. They are also Messi’s closest rivals in the Golden Boot race this summer, having netted four goals for France and Norway, respectively.

Real Madrid and Brazil star Vinicius Junior has equalled that goal tally after finding the net in all three of his nation’s group games. He’s also provided a single assist, cementing himself as Carlo Ancelotti’s talisman and Ibrahimovic’s fourth-best player.

Lamine Yamal proved he’s Spain’s most important player with his performance and goal against Saudi Arabia after La Roja struggled without him starting in the opening game. The best young player on the planet has been better than sixth-placed England hero Harry Kane, who has two goals so far.

Michael Olise may not have found the net yet for France, but he’s still been impressive for Les Bleus. The ex-Premier League winger has set up three goals already, and looks a strong contender for the Playmaker Award.

Elsewhere, Cristiano Ronaldo has now made his way into Ibrahimovic’s rankings after missing out the week before. Portugal’s thrashing of Uzbekistan saw CR7 announce he’s ‘back’ following a two-goal cameo. That puzzled Ibra, who ‘thought he never left’.

But the Manchester United and Real Madrid icon can’t force his way past one of the surprise packages of the competition so far. Deniz Undav hasn’t started any of Germany’s games, but has still picked up three goals and two assists. Undav is eighth, one place above Ronaldo.

Statistics in this article are courtesy of FIFA. Correct as of 26-06-26.

Yan Diomande to Liverpool and Julian Alvarez to Man United lead the latest Market Madness transfer update with Ben Jacobs.

Kate Mason and Ben Jacobs are live for another World Cup edition of Market Madness as the transfer window continues to heat up, with updates on Liverpool’s pursuit of Yan Diomande, Manchester United’s shock interest in Julian Alvarez, and the latest around Elliot Anderson.

Faissal Chehade, Individual Development Coach at CD Leganés, joins the show to discuss Yan Diomande’s rise in professional football and the clubs that missed their chance early in his journey.

Guardian and Observer Manchester football correspondent Jamie Jackson also joins Kate and Ben to give his verdict on England ahead of the Panama game, plus the latest on the Elliot Anderson transfer race.

Ben also answers your transfer questions, including:

– Yan Diomande: Is a Liverpool deal getting closer?

– Nottingham Forest’s midfield plans after Elliot Anderson

– Could Lucas Bergvall be part of Forest’s next move?

– Manchester United’s interest in Julian Alvarez

– Felix Nmecha and Aurelien Tchouameni links to United

– Arsenal and Bruno Guimaraes

– Newcastle’s position on Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali

– Where Crysencio Summerville could end up next

All that and more on Market Madness.

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Tottenham are being linked with England World Cup attacker Marcus Rashford as they look to continue their busy summer of recruitment. Spurs have wasted no time in this summer window so far, already snapping up three new signings, including three freebies and a statement defensive signing in Jan Paul van Hecke.

The signings will keep coming as Roberto De Zerbi looks to give this Tottenham team a whole new look to ensure there is no third-straight bottom half finish.

A midfield signing appears to be the next priority, but Spurs are also working on other potential deals, and a World Cup Three Lion has emerged as a possible option.

Romano on Tottenham’s Rashford interest

Marty Jean-Louis/Sipa USA via Reuters Connect

Spurs have been linked with a move for Manchester United and England winger Rashford in recent days. According to Fabrizio Romano, a deal could be on the cards, but there is nothing advanced at this stage.

“Many questions on Marcus Rashford and Tottenham, we had these links on Marcus Rashford and Tottenham and if it’s possible to see this deal happening,” Romano said on his YouTube channel. “If Tottenham can go for Marcus Rashford, if Tottenham is a possibility being considered. My understanding at the moment between Marcus Rashford and Tottenham is that there is nothing advanced, nothing close, nothing realistic as of today.

“Should the situation change I will be here to let you know because the Marcus Rashford situation is an open situation, a situation they have to clarify as soon as possible at Manchester United. There are several things keeping this open for Marcus Rashford but the understanding is at the moment there is nothing concrete or advanced with Tottenham.”

Why Rashford wasn’t signed by Barcelona

via Reuters

Rashford played a big part in Barca winning the LaLiga title, scoring 14 and assisting as many across all competitions last season. The England international will have hoped to land a permanent deal on the back of that form, but the Catalan giants did not activate their option to buy.

They did not – and do not – rule out a deal at this stage, but their current priority is to find a new number nine to replace Robert Lewandowski. The Blaugrana are well aware that a striker deal could be very costly, and so they will revisit the Rashford situation if he remains available later in the window. The same transfer stance saw Barca miss out on Bernardo Silva to Real Madrid, but unless they are not pivoting from the current approach, and that could see the price they have to pay for Rashford increase, given the clause is no longer available to them, and it may mean the England international goes elsewhere.