Zlatan Ibrahimovic: 'I don't need the Ballon d'Or to know I'm the best'

PSG forward scores yet another Champions League goal - but claims he doesn't need an award to tell him how good he is

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (GETTY IMAGES)

Who is the best player on the planet according to Zlatan Ibrahimovic? Himself.

Despite the PSG striker being an outsider to win the Fifa Ballon d'Or - Cristiano Ronaldo, Franck Ribery and Lionel Messi are all ahead of him according to the bookmakers - that hasn't put Ibrahimovic off claiming he is the best footballer there is.

Speaking after last night's Champions League game in which PSG beat Olympiakos and Ibrahimovic took his European tally for the season to eight, the striker said: "I don't need the Ballon d'Or to know I'm the best."

It has been a fine year for the former Barcelona and Inter Milan striker in which he helped PSG claim the Ligue 1 title, put four goals past England and took Sweden to the verge of the World Cup with two goals in their play-off against Portugual.

However, it was in that play-off that Ronaldo made his boldest claim to the Fifa Ballon d'Or, scoring all four of Portugal's goals to ensure he and his country will be taking part in next summer's carnival in Brazil.

Last night, Real Madrid fans showed their support for Ronaldo winning the award by wearing face masks and unfurling banners during their game against Galatasaray. Ronaldo thanked them on Twitter and is understood to be desperate to be recognised as the best player in the world.

But for Ibrahimovic, picking up the award, which will be presented in January, is not so important. "It matters more to some players," he said.