"With all respect for what the ladies have done, and they've done it fantastically well, you can't compare men's and women's football. Give it up, it's not even funny.When I come out in Europe they compare me to (Lionel) Messi and (Cristiano) Ronaldo.

When I come home they compare me to a female player. With all respect for the ladies, they should be rewarded in relation to what they generate (financially).

I was asked (by Swedish media) in the summer who was the better player, me or (Sweden striker) Lotta Schelin. You're joking with me, right? When I've broken all these records, this goal record, the goals in the national team, who shall I compare it to? Shall I compare it to whoever has the record, or the ladies?"

The guy has a point, but kind of mean comments.

It's the plain truth. Female footballers are not nearly as good as male footballers. It's not sexist, since Zlatan's not insulting females. He's just pointing out the obvious. Marta is not as good as Messi. Abby Wambach is nowhere near Ronaldo. And Schelin (who I have never heard of until now) is obviously nowhere near Zlatan. If she was, we would've been made aware of her talent already.

I guess it just appears to be mean when you first read it. :/

Yeah eventually somebody needs to point out these facts, and it just happened that Zlatan was the first to do so.

Anyone else would have sugarcoated these comments. I commend Zlatan on his brutal honesty and in-your-face personality.

Happy holidays everyone!

^ This is why i like him, he is saying what he thinks even if its not '' politically correct ''.

Some Female Footballers are becoming world class and scoring world class goals, but i always compare their level to 3rd division (National) because they have the same budget and level, thats very disapointing for the few stars that are more professional than the others.

I only watch World cup games and it starting to be really good.

Everything this man said is right. Plus, I don't think there would be that many female fans that would possibly get mad at Zlatan. Female fan base is considerably low compared to the male fan base.

Women football has progressed over the last 10 years. What he is saying is out of data. He could have said it fine in 2004 but no more now.

He is totally right. Lets compare Ronaldo with Marta. Ronaldo has more/better make up, less hair since he shaves every other day, better actor, better diver, more bitchy attitude, watches himself x10 a day on the mirror than Marta. I almost forgot about the eyebrows. In what aspect is Marta better? Just have more boobs. Ronaldo not only is better in football than Marta, but he's more diva than her. Nuff said.

classic zlatan

You all aren't reading what he said. He said that female players should be judged on what they reap FINANCIALLY. He said nothing about their playing prowess. And he's right: clearly, there is a greater traditional market for male teams.

That being said, there is no doubt that male football is generally more dynamic and athletic than female; but I'd say that Abby Wambach could do better at Westham than Diame right now. If you're generalizing, then yes: football played by men is better. But there are some amazing American, Canadian, and Japanese female players out there who are far superior to some of their male counterparts. It depends on how you compare them. Of course Ibra is better than his Swedish female counterpart.

LOL and Ibra being a misogynistic jerk and then being supported for it by a forum comprised almost entirely of men? Not a huge surprise :) Keep it classy guys.

@onenil, an admirable point, however I've watched women's football and I can say that women play by fairer standards from what I've seen. Men's football is way more physical and bit a dirtier. Abby Wambach is one of America's all time greatest female footballers but to say she could hold her own at West Ham, a PL side, is a bit much I think.

Ibra is saying that female players should be REWARDED in relation to what they generate, not judged in relation to what they generate. In the actual article, Ibra commends the female footballers of his country. The feud came about because Therese Sjogran did not receive similar recognition. Ibra is not taking away from women's abilities, though his comments can come off as harsh.

"The Sweden captain spoke out after his country's FA was slammed for presenting midfielder Anders Svensson with a new Volvo for breaking Thomas Ravelli's record of 143 international caps.

However, when women's midfielder Therese Sjogran failed to get similar recognition at the same soccer gala despite earning a record 187 caps, the move was widely criticized"