Joga Bonito! Seven years after Zlatan v Cristiano in Nike's advert, Sportsmail hears Henrik Larsson's thoughts on the upcoming face off - a man who played with them both

Eric Cantona boldly declares: ‘Mes amis, football is like fencing. It is a noble art.’
He taps a kindle screen to reveal a youthful Zlatan Ibrahimovic juggling a football. Cantona turns to Cristiano Ronaldo alongside him and asks in a gruff, Gallic growl: ‘This is Zlatan. Think you can beat this?’
With Ronaldo’s confident nod, the duel begins.

The scene is from Nike’s Joga Bonito advert of 2006 and pits the two footballing talents against each other in a battle of skills. At the end, Cantona turns to the audience and shrugs: ‘Who wins? I don’t know.’

VIDEO: Scroll down to watch Cristiano Ronaldo face Zlatan Ibrahimovic in a skills battle

Joga Bonito: Eric Cantona introduces the battle - Zlatan v Ronaldo - for a Nike advert

Taunt: Cristiano Ronaldo (above) and Zlatan Ibrahimovic (below) face off again on Friday night

VIDEO: Zlatan v Ibrahimovic in a 2006 Nike advert

Seven years on, the two prepare to draw swords again in Friday’s first leg of the World Cup qualifying play-off and this time there must be a winner.

At stake is a place in Brazil next summer for either Sweden or Portugal and further proof of who really is the best player in the world.

For many, including FIFA president Sepp Blatter, the pair are merely pretenders to the throne occupied by Lionel Messi. Yet, with Messi beset by injury this season, Ronaldo and Ibrahimovic are laying a stronger claim.

Struggle: With Lionel Messi's injury woes, is there a Ballon D'or chance for Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic (left) and Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo (right)? We could find out on Friday

English audiences have long been convinced by the merits of Ronaldo’s twinkling toes and goalscoring feats. He has 24 goals already this season for Real Madrid. Yet they remain unconvinced by the physical phenomenon that is Ibrahimovic who a year ago, treated England defenders like proverbial rag dolls before grabbing our attention with his spectacular overhead kick in Sweden’s 4-2 win. The Swedes said it was ‘Zlatan against children’.

Henrik Larsson played with both during an illustrious career. The Swede, described by Sir Alex Ferguson as a ‘true aristocrat’ joined Manchester United on loan in 2007 from hometown club Helsingborgs. He witnessed the blossoming Ronaldo at first hand while continuing to partner Ibrahimovic in the national side.

‘Cristiano was not raw any more by the time I joined United in 2007. I’m not sure he ever was,’ says Larsson. ‘We were seeing the potential of the player unfold with his ability and great goals. He was just fantastic. He had speed, great quality, he was amazing.

‘You could see that desire in him that all great players have. He stayed behind a lot after training, working on his skills, shooting and free-kicks. He didn’t want to leave anything to chance.’

Not raw: Henrik Larsson (right) says Cristiano was almost the finished product during the Swede's short time at Manchester United in 2007

Not raw: Henrik Larsson (right) says Cristiano was almost the finished product during the Swede's short time at Manchester United in 2007

Well done, son: Jordan (right) congratulated by Henrik after scoring for Hogaborg

Larsson, who still occasionally turns out for local side Hogaborgs alongside his son Jordan at a sprightly 42, was seen by Ferguson as an experienced head for his young players to turn to.

‘Cristiano and I talked a lot generally. He didn’t ask me specifically for advice just about football and experiences. He was high quality,’ Larsson says.
‘It is up to you, when you are young, how far you want to go and you could see he had no limit.

‘Cristiano always had that motivation. He was always eager to learn more and was never satisfied with what he was. He was searching for a way to be the best he could be and, when I see him now, he is still aiming for that. He has definitely been one of the best players in the world for the past four years or more.’

While Ronaldo’s presence in the lofty echelons of football greatness is assured, the fact Ibrahimovic continues to divide opinion puzzles Larsson. Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill once described Ibrahimovic as ‘overrated’ while Arsene Wenger this week said he was ‘the best in the world’.
Understandably, Larsson concurs more with the Arsenal manager.

And then, there's Zlatan: Larsson believes his fellow Swede is the best in the world - in terms of strikers

High praise: The duo enjoyed a fruitful partnership during their time together for their country

‘You cannot doubt Zlatan’s quality,’ he says. ‘He is right up there. It’s hard to compare but if you are doing it as strikers then, yes, I think he is the best.

‘What sets him apart? Firstly you don’t see his physique on a lot of people. At 1.95metres (6ft 4ins) and nearly 100kgs (15stone 7lbs), you don’t see many players of his build. When you combine that with strength, intelligence, his skills, technique and speed you have a pretty phenomenal sportsman that is difficult to stop.\

‘Why people question him I have no idea. His quality is not in question. Sometimes in England maybe, he didn’t get the recognition he deserved but I think that changed when he scored four goals against you guys last year ...and they were all great goals.
‘He has a great awareness. You have to, to play that central role. \

We first came together in a friendly against Switzerland and I realised you have to anticipate the unexpected with him because he will find a pass others only imagine.
‘Those who question him should just watch his games over the past four or five years then they would understand.’

Class: Larsson understandably rates Zlatan, but it will be interesting to see what happens in the play-off

Clash: The pair have been in great form this season

A taekwondo blackbelt who is fluent in five languages, so iconic is Ibrahimovic in his native Sweden that his image will adorn a new set of stamps. He has won 10 league titles with six different clubs yet his various mood swings and penchant for confrontation have shaped an altogether different image. His insults can be almost cutting; Anderlecht’s Sacha Kljestan protested last week that Ibrahimovic ‘provoked’ him by saying he had ‘a terrible moustache’. 

That can hurt.
‘He may have a reputation for being a complex guy but once you get to know him you realise he is a good guy, a good character,’ says Larsson. ‘It’s impossible to know everyone and to be everyone’s friend but Zlatan is a good man who I am proud to know. There’s more to him than people see.’

Larsson was in the Swedish side that drew 0-0 with Portugal the last time the two countries met in 2009. Indeed, the last three meetings between the sides have ended in draws.

Prediction: Larsson believes Sweden have the advantage because of the opening away tie, but who knows what will happen when two giants collide (below)

Prediction: Larsson believes Sweden have the advantage because of the opening away tie, but who knows what will happen when two giants collide (below)

‘It will be very tough. Sweden have the slight advantage,’ says Larsson.

 ‘As a player, I always liked to play the home leg last as you know what you have to do and you have the crowd behind you but that’s only the case if you don’t lose the first leg. We have to minimise mistakes. Sweden need to be in the tie after Friday.

‘We have a good team but Portugal also have improved as a team. They do not just play as individuals but both teams have one individual who can win the match on his own. It will be tense but it could come down to who performs best out of those two.’
Naturally, Larsson hopes Ibrahimovic can provide the rapier thrust that will leave Ronaldo’s World Cup hopes in tatters.