Zlatan Ibrahimovic declares Wayne Rooney his top English icon
Zlatan Ibrahimovic stunned fans when he named Wayne Rooney the only English player he liked more than anyone, calling the former Manchester United star a ‘fantastic’ and ‘perfect’ footballer. The Swedish icon made the remark in a 2013 interview with, highlighting his admiration for the English forward.
Ibrahimovic's outspoken career
He has never shied away from controversy, famously branding Pep Guardiola a ‘spineless coward’ after their Barcelona clash. He also criticised England manager Thomas Tuchel’s tactics following the Three Lions’ semi‑final defeat to Argentina at the 2026 World Cup. Over the years the Swedish striker has collided with four teammates, including a Manchester United star, during his chaotic career. Yet despite these feuds, Ibrahimovic remains one of football’s most polarising yet respected figures.
Rooney partnership at United
Ibrahimovic arrived at Manchester United from Paris Saint‑Germain in 2016 and immediately linked up with Wayne Rooney. He later described Rooney as “the perfect player”, adding that “as a person he’s fantastic”. Together they secured a League Cup and Europa League double in the 2016/17 season before Rooney departed for Everton that summer. Ibrahimovic stayed another season, leaving in 2018 after 53 appearances, 29 goals and 10 assists for the English club.
Hal's journalism journey
Action Images via Reuters captured Carl Recine Livepic Hal, an experienced freelance sports journalist now editing for GiveMeSport. Hal has previously produced content for Goal, football.london, HertsLive, 90min and The Set Pieces among many others. He earned an MA in Sports Journalism and an NCTJ qualification from St Mary’s University Twickenham before joining Valnet in late 2021. Since then he has written for This Is Futbol, moved over to FootballFanCast and now focuses on Premier League, Champions League and English football at GiveMeSport.
Hal is an Arsenal supporter and follows the England national team, while also keeping an eye on the All Blacks, the New Zealand rugby side he grew up cheering. He also contributes to coverage of major sports such as MMA, boxing, darts, tennis and golf, and highlights key events like the summer and winter Olympics when they appear on the calendar. His broad portfolio demonstrates a commitment to delivering diverse sport content across digital platforms.
Ibrahimovic’s endorsement of Rooney adds another layer to his complex relationship with English football, reflecting both his admiration for the English game and his willingness to celebrate a rival turned teammate. The Swedish icon’s 29‑goal, 10‑assist tally and the double he helped win remain part of United’s recent trophy cabinet, while his outspoken comments continue to spark debate across the sport. His tribute also underscores how even the most polarising figures can find common ground in shared passion for the beautiful game.