Zlatan Ibrahimovic has defended Lionel Messi after Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) inflicted a 4-0 defeat upon Inter Miami in the FIFA Club World Cup Round of 16 on Sunday, June 29.
The PSG legend, who also played alongside Messi at Barcelona, claimed the Argentine’s teammates at Miami ran as if they were “carrying bags of cement.”
Club World Cup hosts Inter Miami crashed out after an embarrassing 4-0 defeat to European champions PSG on Sunday. The Parisians were in complete control of the game, creating chances without even breaking a sweat. All four of their goals came in the first half, as they took their feet off the gas in the second 45.
PSG ended the game with 67% possession, 19 shots, 9 attempts on target, and an xG of 2.91. The Herons, meanwhile, had eight attempts, with only three landing on target, and a negligible xG of 0.43.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic Defends Lionel Messi and Slams Inter Miami After PSG Defeat in Club World Cup
Being the marquee player not only of Inter Miami but also of the MLS, Lionel Messi was expected to deliver against his former team, PSG. As he finished the game without making a tangible impact, critics have taken a swipe at him. Messi’s former teammate, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, however, has put the entire blame on Inter Miami. The Swede believes Messi could still “burn the stadium down” in a real team.
Speaking to Foot Mercato, Ibrahimovic said of the Club World Cup result:
“Messi’s defeat? No 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? Messi plays among statues, not teammates!
“If he was in a real team, in Paris, in Manchester, in any big team, you would have seen the real lion.”
Ibrahimovic continued his defence of Messi, adding:
“Messi only plays because he loves the game, because he can still do what 99% of players can’t! But he’s surrounded by those who run as if they were carrying bags of cement! There are no coaches, no stars, not even players who understand how to move without the ball! You want to blame Messi? When he plays with Ronaldo, with Mbappé, with Haaland, with Zlatan. Then you can talk! But today? No, no, no.
“That’s not the Messi I know, he’s a big ghost who plays in a circus! But be careful, if you give him a real team, he’ll burn the stadium down again! Because, quite simply, Messi is still Messi, but today? It’s not his defeat, it’s the defeat of Inter Miami and football.”
Lionel Messi Was the Most Impactful Inter Miami Player Against PSG
Although his night ended in frustration, Lionel Messi exited the tournament with his head held high. Throughout the game, the 38-year-old created two chances, took four shots, and tested the goalkeeper two times. He also pulled off two dribbles, played ten passes into the final third, and even completed three recoveries. The Argentina captain, who has been credited with making football attractive in the United States, was the only Miami player putting pressure on Les Parisiens.
🇵🇹 Vintinha 🗣️: " Leo Messi? What he is doing at this age is not even surprising. He is still the best player in the world." pic.twitter.com/PVZOhdbw77
— Safu (@The_Safu) June 29, 2025
Messi came tantalisingly close to scoring in the 80th minute, as he directed a headed effort towards Gianluigi Donnarumma. Unfortunately for the home side, Messi could not quite steer his header into the bottom corner. The Argentine, one of the top 10 free-kick takers according to Toni Kroos, also had an attempt at goal from a set-piece just outside the box. However, the PSG wall jumped just at the right time to block his effort.
The Barcelona legend and Miami have little time to recover from their Club World Cup exit. They will face Montreal in the regular MLS season on Saturday, July 5.
