Ibrahimovic vs. Ronaldo: 10 Greatest Goals

Arguably the biggest talking point of the international break is the grudge match between Sweden and Portugal—or rather Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Cristiano Ronaldo—for a place at the World Cup finals in Brazil.

It seems bizarre that the tournament will be devoid of either the mercurial Swede or the remarkable Portuguese superstar, but that is exactly the scenario after the World Cup play-offs have been concluded.

What you should be able to guarantee is goals, given that both have a remarkable record for PSG and Real Madrid respectively, and hopefully that will transfer on to the international stage.

Here, Bleacher Report takes a look at the top 10 greatest goals scored by the pair over their illustrious careers, ahead of the huge tie between their nations over the next week.

As always, if you disagree with our selections, get involved with the discussions below and leave your selection.

Honourable Mentions

Harry Engels/Getty Images

Ibrahimovic's long-range effort against Roma, whilst playing for Juventus.

Ronaldo's stunning goal against Azerbaijan whilst on international duty with Portugal.

Ronaldo's goal for Portugal against Russia.

Ibrahimovic's chipped effort for Internazionale against Reggina.

10. Ibrahimovic vs. Italy, June 2004

We start with a goal that was eventually voted goal of the entire Euro 2004 tournament.

In truth, it is ridiculously hard to rank all these wonderful goals into any kind of order, but Zlatan's goal against Italy takes the No. 10 slot.

With the ball fizzing around the Italian box, the Swede took matters into his own hands with a remarkable 85th-minute equaliser.

He sublimely chipped the ball with a ludicrous attempt with the back of his heel, looping over the Italian defender on the line and going in.

That's not a bad starting point for the next nine goals.

9. Ronaldo vs. Arsenal, April 2009

A trademark Ronaldo strike, his remarkable free-kick against Arsenal was a superb long-range effort.

The ball was in an area that looked better for delivering into the box. However, Ronaldo had other ideas, striking the ball firm and with enough bend to find its way into the net in a huge Champions League semi-final clash.

There are not many better with a dead ball than the Portuguese superstar. If he gets this kind of opportunity against Sweden, expect him to shoot.

8. Ibrahimovic vs. France, June 2012

Ibra is a player who thrives on the biggest stage and he certainly didn't disappoint at Euro 2012.

This goal didn't help Sweden in their bid to progress out of the group stages at the competition, but it was a pretty special consolation, it has to be said.

Unmarked on the edge of the area, Zlatan unleashed a remarkable bicycle kick that flew into the corner of the net and sent the Swedish fans wild in the stands.

It was yet another reminder of the technical ability that Ibrahimovic possesses.

7. Ibrahimovic vs. Bologna, October 2008

Zlatan's spell at Internazionale returned him a healthy 57 goals in three seasons, an impressive record for the Swede.

Of all the goals he scored in the blue and black of Inter, though, this one is arguably the best.

Adriano's cross was not the best in all fairness, as it left Zlatan with his back to goal and going nowhere. Remarkably, however, the Swede had the vision to guide the ball home with a trademark back-heel flick.

It was a show of pure skill and brilliance, the type of which only a few players in world football possess. Thankfully for Sweden, Ibrahimovic is certainly one of those players.

6. Ronaldo vs. Osasuna, March 2012

Part of Ronaldo's repertoire is his ability to hit the ball harder than anyone else at the top level of world football. Not only does he strike the ball with sheer venom, he is pinpoint accurate, too.

That is typified with this strike against Osasuna in 2012.

Real Madrid pass the ball around cleverly for a period before CR7 takes over, striking the ball into the top corner and then celebrating as only Ronaldo can, showing his muscles to the Madrid bench in a show of pure ego.

5. Ronaldo vs. Portsmouth, January 2008

Arguably one of Ronaldo's best skills is his talent to hit a dead ball like nobody else in world football. The unique technique, the swerve and the power make him the best in the business with a free-kick.

No example typifies that better than his sublime free-kick back in 2008. It was a season that would see him win both the Premier League and the Champions League with Manchester United, and this strike was one of the most memorable moments of that campaign.

Goalkeeper David James doesn't even move when Ronaldo strikes the ball. In truth, he doesn't need to. It is as close to the top corner as possible without actually putting the ball there with your hands.

4. Ibrahimovic vs. NAC, August 2004

For the next goal on the list, we have to travel way back to 2004. Zlatan was just starting out on the road to stardom with Ajax in the Netherlands and their season was just beginning when the Swede pulled this piece of magic out of the hat.

Surrounded by a plethora of NAC defenders, Ibra weaved his way through them with consummate ease, faking to pass on several occasions before coolly placing the ball in the corner of the net.

For all of the talk of Ibrahimovic's aerial threat and power strikes, this was a moment of sheer skill and class from the mercurial Swede.

3. Ronaldo vs. Porto, April 2009

It was voted Manchester United's goal of the decade for 2000-2009 and this stunning strike from Ronaldo was one of the finest in Champions League history.

Playing for United back in his native Portugal in a Champions League tie, Ronaldo appeared to be simply picking up the ball in midfield and looking to move the play forward.

What he did, however, was unleash a remarkable strike from well over 35 yards out from goal that flew into the top corner.

It was arguably Ronaldo's finest season in a United shirt and he justified all the pre-match talk of his return to his home country with this quite unbelievable goal.

Pure Ronaldo at his finest.

2. Ibrahimovic vs. Anderlecht, October 2013

Arguably the goal of the 2013/14 campaign so far all across Europe is this one from the boot of Ibrahimovic.

It was just one of the four goals he scored during Paris Saint Germain's 5-0 rout of Belgian side Anderlecht in the Champions League group phase earlier this season.

After the ball was headed away from the area by an Anderlecht defender, the Swede did not even think twice, striking the ball with pure venom into the top corner and sending the crowd wild.

It was yet another stunning finish from one of the most enigmatic players in world football and is only beaten on this list by one unbelievable strike.

1. Ibrahimovic vs. England, November 2012

There was almost no other option that could have topped the list.

Sure, both CR7 and Ibra have scored some memorable goals throughout their career, but this effort from Zlatan ranks as one of the most unbelievable.

As an England fan, I don't particularly like ranking any goals against my side at the top of a list, but it was impossible to leave Zlatan off the top on this occasion.

After Joe Hart headed the ball away from his area, Ibrahimovic proceeded to do the unthinkable and score an overhead kick from 35 yards out.

It is pure genius and the kind of magic that will befit a game with the importance of Portugal vs. Sweden this week.