Zlatan Ibrahimovic: Forget Cristiano Ronaldo, the World Cup needs me more

Ahead of the crunch tie with Portugal, Swedish superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic has bravely claimed that the World Cup would miss him more than Cristiano Ronaldo.

The pair will face each other in a two-legged World Cup play-off as their countries vie for a place in Brazil next summer.

Both players have had superb seasons so far with Ronaldo scoring 16 La Liga goals to Zlatan’s eight in Ligue 1.

“I think that the World Cup needs Zlatan more than Ronaldo,” Ibrahimovic said.

“The excitement I can bring to the game and the goals I can score – nobody can rival me for that. I believe the fans would want to see me there above anybody.

“I respect him as a player – there is no question he is one of the best.

“The World Cup is the greatest sporting competition in the world – it needs to have the best players.

“If Ronaldo, or Neymar, or Rooney, or Messi, or Xavi is missing then it is a shame for the competition – and it is a shame for the World Cup that one of myself or Ronaldo will not be in Brazil.

“I just need to make sure I do everything over the next two games to make sure that it is him who misses out and not myself.”

Portugal will host Sweden in the Estadio da Luz on Friday.

Ibrahimovic has scored eight goals in Ligue 1 this season, one behind Edinson Cavani, but no one else has created more chances than the 21 Zlatan has.

PSG’s Top Chance Creators This Season