Fox Sports pundit Zlatan Ibrahimovic named a World Cup legend as the greatest footballer ever – but his choice was not reigning champion Lionel Messi.

The former Sweden star only ever made five appearances in international football’s most illustrious competition, despite being considered one of the greatest strikers of all time, but has chosen one of the most dominant individuals in World Cup history as soccer’s ultimate GOAT.

Messi, who lifted the World Cup with Argentina in 2022, is widely considered to be the greatest footballer in the sport’s history, but Ibra holds an alternative point of view.

During an interview with beIN Sports in 2021, Ibrahimovic stated that two-time World Cup winner Ronaldo Nazario was his pick for the best player the sport has ever seen, with the 43-year-old even describing the Brazilian as the embodiment of football.

‘R9’ won the World Cup with Brazil in 1994 and 2002, while he also reached the final in 1998. Overall, from 19 World Cup appearances he scored 15 goals, provided five assists and won 16 games.

It’s possible that Ibrahimovic’s view may have changed since 2021, considering Messi won the only accolade that was missing from his career honours list when Argentina lifted the World Cup crown four years ago.

But there is a reason Ronaldo is monikered as ‘O Fenomeno’ (The Phenomenon), and Zlatan appeared certain in his view that R9, rather than Messi, personified football itself.

Ronaldo Nazario and Zlatan Ibrahimovic Compared

There are, interestingly, a number of similarities between the careers of Ronaldo and Ibrahimovic. Both players first made their name in European football in the Netherlands, with Ronaldo doing so at PSV and Ibrahimovic at Ajax. They also later represented three of the same clubs – Inter Milan, Barcelona, and AC Milan.

When it comes to trophies, both are counted among the best players to have never lifted the Champions League. However, it was Ibrahimovic who ended his career with the greater haul of team honours, winning 32 in total compared with Ronaldo’s 16.

Sadly, the two never got the opportunity to play together. Ronaldo departed AC Milan two years before Ibrahimovic arrived at the red and black side of the city.

The White House made a direct call to FIFA to ask them to review Folarin Balogun’s World Cup ban ahead of the USA’s clash with Belgium, GIVEMESPORT sources understand.

Balogun was shown a straight red card during the United States’ 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina after he stumbled and stood on the back of defender Tarik Muharemovic, ruling him out of the Last 16 clash with an automatic one-game suspension.

Manager Mauricio Pochettino was furious at the decision, which the referee made after being sent to review the incident on the pitchside monitor by VAR, but it was confirmed that the USA could not appeal Balogun’s suspension due to competition rules.

However, it was announced on Sunday afternoon (5th July) that Balogun would now be available to feature in the game after FIFA opted to suspend his suspension, instead handing him a one-year probationary period.

Sources: White House Called FIFA Over Balogun Ban

Evelyn Hockstein via Reuters

GIVEMESPORT sources understand that decision came after The White House made a direct call to FIFA to ask Gianni Infantino to review Balogun’s sending off and subsequent suspension.

FIFA were approached for comment and referred to the findings of its independent committee. FIFA sources insist that White House influence could not affect the decision due to the powers contained in Article 27 and the independent nature of the disciplinary panel.

The decision means that Balogun will now be available to lead the line for his nation in the Round of 16 on Monday night, having been in spectacular form throughout the tournament.

The Monaco star, who came through the Hale End academy at Arsenal, is the USMNT’s top scorer in the tournament, having scored four times. He has registered at least one goal contribution in all three of his starts at the competition, having been rested for the final group game against Turkey on match day 3.

With a number of top midfielders already on the move this summer, the pool of options for those clubs in the market for reinforcements gets smaller.

Manchester City completed the signing of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest in a £116million, making the 23-year-old the most expensive British player in history.

Tottenham have brought in two midfielders, with Mateus Fernandes joining from West Ham United in an £85million deal and Sandro Tonali set to arrive for a fixed fee of £92.5million that could rise to £100million with add-ons.

Midfielders who could still complete transfers this summer

Burt Granofsky/Cal Sport Media/Sipa USA

Manchester United have agreed a deal with Atalanta to sign Ederson for £38million, but both they and City are still in the market for another midfielder, while the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool have also been linked with signing a central midfielder in the summer transfer window.

Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton, Alex Scott, Aurelien Tchouameni, Manu Kone and Ayyoub Bouaddi are the other names in the frame for a summer move and three of the sides mentioned have already made inquiries over the availability of one of the players mentioned above.

GIVEMESPORT senior football correspondent Ben Jacobs revealed all in a video on TalkSport on Sunday.

He said: “City are still active in the market, they will assess another midfielder, even after the arrival of Elliot Anderson for £116million, they like Alex Scott and have made an initial approach to Bournemouth, as have Manchester United and Arsenal, these are three clubs to watch.

“Those three clubs I mentioned have all gone to Bournemouth. My information is as follows: Bournemouth want him to stay, since March there have been talks about Scott signing a new deal at Bournemouth and they are prepared to offer him a deal with a release clause for 2027.

Bournemouth make Scott transfer stance clear

“If he rejects, Bournemouth are comfortable, even though his value will depreciate, in just keeping him for another season on the existing terms, so they’re telling interested suitors he’s not for sale. Bournemouth value Scott at around £80million.

“Man City, Man Utd and Arsenal have all already made direct approaches to Bournemouth for Alex Scott to understand the situation and Bournemouth’s response has been that Alex Scott is not for sale.”

The 22-year-old enjoyed an impressive 2025/26 campaign on the south coast, starting 34 of the Cherries’ 38 Premier League matches. He scored four goals and provided one assist across all competitions.