Zlatan Ibrahimovic Defends Messi Amid Inter Miami’s Club World Cup Disappointment

Inter Miami experienced a significant setback in the FIFA Club World Cup, suffering a 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the Round of 16. This match prompted a fiery response from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the renowned Swedish striker. The former football star emphasized that any blame directed at Lionel Messi for the loss is misguided, calling the Miami players "statues" and criticizing the team’s overall performance.

Surprise Entry into Knockout Stage

Inter Miami’s advancement to the knockout stages was unexpected, particularly after their surprising win over Porto during the group phase. However, their defeat against PSG, the reigning Champions League titleholders, was not entirely shocking, given the differences in calibre between the two teams.

Ibrahimovic’s Strong Statement on Messi

In an interview with Footmercato, Ibrahimovic expressed his displeasure at the notion of blaming Messi for the team’s lackluster performance. He stated emphatically:

“Messi’s defeat? No, don’t talk about the defeat as if it was his fault! Messi didn’t lose, Inter Miami did! Have you seen this team?”

Ibrahimovic, who currently serves as a senior advisor at AC Milan, settled the debate:

“Messi plays among statues, not teammates! If he was in a real team, you would have seen the real lion.”

Critique of Miami’s Performance

Ibrahimovic did not mince words when discussing the team’s shortcomings:

• Lack of Movement: He criticized the players for their sluggishness, likening their running to “carrying bags of cement.”
• Absence of Strategy: He mentioned a lack of coaching and tactical execution, stating that the players struggled to understand basic movements without the ball.

Notable Message for Messi

Ibrahimovic continued to defend Messi’s legacy, suggesting that if Messi played alongside high-caliber players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe, or Erling Haaland, the narrative would be very different:

“You want to blame Messi? If he plays with Ronaldo, with Mbappe, with Haaland, with Zlatan. Then you can talk!”

The Star-Studded Roster

Despite the defeat, Inter Miami boasts a roster that includes not just Messi but also other high-profile players such as:

• Sergio Busquets
• Jordi Alba
• Luis Suarez

Ibrahimovic acknowledged the talent within the squad but emphasized the need for coherent teamwork:

“That’s not the Messi I know; he’s a big ghost who plays in a circus!”

Prize Money Recognition

Following their performance in the tournament, Inter Miami earned approximately $21.05 million in prize money. This financial windfall acknowledges their efforts, even if the match against PSG was a significant disappointment.

Conclusion

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s comments underline the complexities surrounding Lionel Messi’s role at Inter Miami. Critics may point fingers after a defeat, but Ibrahimovic firmly asserts the need to evaluate overall team dynamics rather than individual performances. For football aficionados looking to catch more live action, the FIFA Club World Cup can be watched freely on DAZN, with options for enhanced viewing experiences available.

In the ever-evolving landscape of football, one thing remains clear: Messi is far from done, and with the right team, he could still ignite the pitch with his brilliance.