Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s Bold Critique of Inter Miami

After Inter Miami’s disappointing 16-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain at the FIFA Club World Cup, Zlatan Ibrahimovic didn’t hold back, calling Miami’s player performance akin to a “sculpture.”

The fact that Inter Miami made it to the knockout stage was already unexpected, thanks largely to their remarkable win over Porto in the group phase.

Zlatan, a well-known figure in football who has worn the jerseys of elite clubs like AC Milan, PSG, and Manchester United, seemed to place the blame for the team’s lackluster performance squarely on Messi’s shoulders. He pointed out that this loss, in the 32-team tournament, was a collective failure.

Now in a senior advisor role at AC Milan, Ibrahimovic defended Messi amid criticism, stating, “Don’t blame the loss on him! Inter Miami lost, not Messi! Have you seen this team?”

Ibrahimovic pointedly remarked on Messi’s situation, saying, “Messi plays amidst statues, not real teammates! If he was with a proper team, like Paris or Manchester City, you would see a different lion.” He acknowledged Messi’s extraordinary talent, claiming, “Messi loves the game and possesses skills that 99% of players don’t have.”

Inter Miami counts among its ranks several well-known players, including Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Luis Suárez. This star-studded roster only serves to amplify the disappointment of their early exit.

Reflecting on the criticisms hurled at Messi, Ibrahimovic added, “If he were playing alongside legends like Ronaldo, Mbappé, or Haaland, then okay, we could talk. But not now.” He further described Messi as “a big ghost in a circus,” suggesting that only with a real team could Messi truly shine again.

Ultimately, PSG showcased their dominance over Inter Miami, which marked a historical moment as the only MLS team to move forward in the Club World Cup tournament. Despite their defeat, Inter Miami did walk away with $21.05 million in prize money from the event.