Ibrahimovic defends Messi and criticizes Inter Miami players: ‘They play like statues’

2. Despite advancing from a tough group that included Palmeiras, Porto, and Al Ahly, Inter Miami’s weaknesses were fully exposed by PSG, highlighting the clear gap in quality between the MLS side and Europe’s elite.

Lionel Messi had a tough outing with Inter Miami following their historic qualification to the Round of 16 at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. On Sunday, his MLS side was crushed 4–0 by Paris Saint-Germain, the reigning UEFA Champions League winners. After the loss, Swedish icon Zlatan Ibrahimović—Messi’s former Barcelona teammate—defended the Argentine and took sharp aim at the rest of the Inter Miami squad.

Speaking to French outlet Foot Mercato, Ibrahimović declared: “Leo Messi didn’t lose—Inter Miami did. Messi is playing with statues, not teammates. He’s surrounded by players who run like they’re carrying bags of cement.”

In his view, the lack of quality and competitiveness in the squad makes it impossible for Messi to showcase his best version—especially just a year away from trying to defend his World Cup title with Argentina at a tournament to be held across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

Ibrahimović, who shared the pitch with Messi during his time at Barcelona, continued: “This isn’t the Messi I know. If you put him on a real team, he’d be unstoppable. There are no coaches, no stars, not even players who understand how to move off the ball. They play like statues”

The 43-year-old former striker, who played for Barça between 2009 and 2010, heaped praise on the Argentine: “If he were on a real team—any top team—you’d see the real lion. Messi plays because he loves the game, because he can still do what 99% of players can’t. But this isn’t the Messi I know.”

After the match, Messi—now coached by fellow Argentine Javier Mascherano—told DSports: “PSG is a top team. They’re Champions League winners for a reason.”

Now 38, Messi reflected on his team’s journey in the tournament: “We tried to do our best. I think we left a good impression on the Club World Cup stage. We competed. That’s it—now it’s time to look ahead.” He also pointed to the 2–2 draw against Palmeiras in the group stage as a pivotal moment: “We were up 2–0 and ended up drawing. That forced us into this matchup with Paris, which was a much tougher opponent.”