ARSENAL star Oleksandr Zinchenko revealed his footballing idol… and it’s not Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.
Instead, Zinchenko, who joined the Gunners last summer from Manchester City, insists the “greatest player ever” is none other than Ronaldinho.
The 26-year-old looked up to the Barcelona legend growing up and aspired to emulate him as he started out as a forward.
The Ukraine international, though, couldn’t replicate the Brazil great’s magic on the pitch as he quickly changed position and now plays as either a left-back or midfielder.
Zinchenko told Arsenal.com: “I was a striker myself when I started.
“Then I was a left winger, then midfield, now a left-back. Maybe I will finish as a centre-back or a goalkeeper!
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“But it was the forwards I enjoyed watching, it was Ronaldinho when he was at Barcelona. He was just unbelievable.
“Everyone had their idols, and mine was Ronaldinho. For me I’d say he’s the greatest player ever.
“There is no doubt how good Lionel Messi is, and everyone has their own tastes and their favourites, but for me the best was Ronaldinho.”
Zinchenko has not reached Ronaldinho’s global status but has turned into a national star himself.
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The defender is filling in for former Ukraine legends, such as Andriy Shevchenko, Serhiy Rebrov and Oleg Blokhin.
The ex-City star has also won a raft of titles with four Premier League honours and the 2019 FA Cup under his belt.
And the Ukrainian star is proving to be a key player for Arsenal as he has already amassed 12 appearances across all competitions this season.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
