Zlatan Ibrahimovic, never one to shy away from a controversial statement, has weighed in on Lionel Messi’s performance at Inter Miami following their crushing 4-0 defeat to PSG in the FIFA Club World Cup. His assessment? Messi’s teammates are nothing short of statuesque.
The former Barcelona teammate of Messi didn’t pull any punches, blaming Inter Miami’s loss squarely on the lack of talent surrounding the superstar. He declared that it wasn’t Messi who lost, but rather the team itself. Ibrahimovic’s scathing critique painted a picture of players moving with the sluggishness of cement-filled bags, failing to provide the support a player of Messi’s caliber deserves.
“Messi plays with statues, not teammates,” Ibrahimovic declared. He went on to emphasize that the lack of quality around Messi prevented fans from witnessing his true potential. “This isn’t the Messi I know,” he stated, arguing that if placed in a truly talented team, Messi’s performance would be exponentially better. He highlighted the absence of coaching acumen, star players, and even basic understanding of off-the-ball movement as contributing factors to Messi’s subpar showing.
Despite Ibrahimovic’s harsh words, Messi himself remained relatively upbeat. He focused on the positive aspects of Inter Miami’s Club World Cup run, highlighting their historic victory over Porto as the first MLS team to defeat a European club in official competition. The 38-year-old superstar emphasized that the team gave their best and left a positive impression on the tournament.
Ibrahimovic’s comments have sparked a lively debate about the level of talent in MLS and the challenges faced by even the greatest players when surrounded by less skilled teammates. While Messi’s own perspective offers a more conciliatory view, Zlatan’s blunt assessment undoubtedly resonates with many football fans who question whether Messi’s current team truly allows him to shine.
