Zlatan Ibrahimovic defended Lionel Messi following Inter Miami’s 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the FIFA Club World Cup on June 29, 2025. The crushing loss sparked online trolling of Messi, but Ibrahimovic criticised Miami’s teammates, calling them “statues.”
In a one-sided Club World Cup match in Atlanta, PSG dismantled Inter Miami 4-0, advancing to the quarter-finals. Despite Messi’s efforts to orchestrate plays, Miami’s squad, including former Barcelona stars Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, couldn’t match PSG’s intensity. Joao Neves scored twice, with an own goal by Tomas Aviles and a strike from Achraf Hakimi sealing Miami’s fate. The defeat led to social media criticism of Messi, with some fans claiming the 38-year-old is past his prime.
🚨Zlatan Ibrahimovic🇸🇪 :
« La défaite de Messi ? Non non ne parle pas de la défaite comme si c'était sa faute ! Messi n'a pas perdu, l'Inter Miami l'a fait ! Avez-vous vu cette équipe ? En train de bouger du bois ! Messi joue parmi les statues, pas de coéquipiers ! S'il était… pic.twitter.com/qF7Hvuj2Bn
— INTER-MESSI FR (@IntermiamiFR_) June 29, 2025Ibrahimovic, speaking to Foot Mercato, rejected the narrative blaming Messi. He argued that Inter Miami, not Messi, lost the match, stating, “Messi plays with statues, not teammates!” Zlatan emphasised Messi’s enduring talent, insisting that in a top team like PSG or Manchester, the “real lion” would shine. He criticised Miami’s squad and the MLS’s lower standards, noting a lack of dynamic movement and coaching. Ibrahimovic asserted that Messi’s love for the game drives him, but his teammates’ limitations hinder his impact.
Zlatan stressed that Messi remains capable of elite performance, saying, “Give him a real team, he’ll burn down the stadium!” He dismissed critics, arguing they should judge Messi alongside stars like Ronaldo or Mbappé, not Miami’s current roster. The remarks highlight the gap between MLS and European football, with Ibrahimovic framing the loss as a team failure, not Messi’s. This perspective aligns with Messi’s continued brilliance, as evidenced by his 2025 MLS contributions despite the setback in the Club World Cup.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic: "Bugün Messi kaybetmedi. Inter Miami kaybetti. Messi çünkü takım arkadaşlarıyla değil, çevresini kaplayan heykellerle oynuyor. Gerçek bir takımda olsaydı eğer, esas aslanı o zaman görürdünüz. Messi artık futbolu sevdiği için oynuyor. Ayrıca bugün hala 38… pic.twitter.com/ZsquLWAOux
— FutbolArena (@futbolarena) June 29, 2025Ibrahimovic’s defence of Messi highlights the challenges faced by ageing stars in less competitive leagues. It sparks debate about team dynamics and individual brilliance in global tournaments, such as the Club World Cup. As Messi continues with Inter Miami, Zlatan’s comments highlight the importance of a strong supporting cast for sustained success, resonating with football fans worldwide.
Read: PSG Crushes Inter Miami 4-0 in Club World Cup, Advances to Quarter-Finals
Zlatan Ibrahimovic fiercely backed Lionel Messi after Inter Miami’s 4-0 loss to PSG, blaming teammates rather than the Argentine legend. The Club World Cup defeat highlights team disparities, but Zlatan insists Messi’s greatness endures. Stay updated on Messi’s journey and share your thoughts on Zlatan’s remarks.
