On the pitch, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Olivier Giroud might have a similar enough skill-set.
An ability to hold up the ball, strength, flair, dominance in the air and the handy knack of being in the right place at the right time are all commonalities of the centre-forwards’ games.
This is not us saying that Giroud is as prodigious a talent as his Swedish counterpart but simply pointing out that they share a similar style of play.
Anyway, whatever matching traits they may both enjoy up front, the same definitely can’t be said for their interviews.
Last weekend, we saw both men find the net with acrobatic efforts in the Premier League. Giroud’s scorpion kick will go down as one of the great goals in league history while Ibrahimovic’s strike against Middlesbrough was ruled out for a high boot.
And in the wake of both games, the men proved themselves worlds apart with interviews they gave to the press.
Arsenal’s Giroud was almost bizarrely modest when asked to comment on the quality of his opener against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
“Alexi gave me the ball a bit behind me and I tried to take it with a backheel and had maximum luck,” Giroud blushed when speaking to Sky Sports.
“That’s just about luck. I was not on good balance.”
Ibrahimovic’s interview, on the other hand, was brimming with typical braggadocio and bluster as he stuck it to the critics who, prior to his summer move to Old Trafford, had questioned the abilities of the 35-year-old.
But Ibrahimovic’s form for Paris Saint-Germain translated seamlessly to the Premier League and the striker has netted 17 goals for Manchester United already this season.
And Ibrahimovic has proudly proclaimed that his performances have forced his critics to “eat their balls.”
“I think I had a fantastic year, I am not complaining,” Ibrahimovic said.
“Let’s say PSG was amazing and I came to United, my first six months here has been more than amazing. I am super happy and let’s hope we can continue the ride and keep going.
“I feel good. I don’t know how many years I have left but I am enjoying the football.
“I came to the Premier League and everyone thought it would not be possible but like always I make them eat their balls.
“It gives me a lot of energy, trust me. A lot of energy because they get paid to talk shit and I get paid to play with my feet, that’s how I enjoy it.”
