World awaits as striking egos clash

Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are not the world’s favourite footballers.

Idolised in their own countries and at their clubs, they both have a manner and a reputation that has tended to set people against them. Maybe it is about personality, maybe it is down to the arrogance that comes with success, maybe it is their phenomenal wealth — Cristiano pulls in €30 million a year, according to France Football’s rich list, Ibra a modest €17m — but neither have exactly endeared themselves to the neutrals.

Until now, that is. Because the luck of the draw for the World Cup play-offs has put them head-to-head. On Friday in Lisbon and then again a week today in Stockholm, two of the best strikers in the world player will trade shot for shot and one of them will fall.