Jun 29, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Inter Miami FC forward Lionel Messi (10) reacts with Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma (1) after the match during a round of 16 match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kai Pfaffenbach-Reuters via Imagn Images

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Lionel Messi ‘Plays With Statues’ at Inter Miami: Zlatan Ibrahimovic

The Swede suggested that even Messi can’t shine when surrounded by teammates lacking the sharpness needed to compete at the highest level.

Lionel Messi’s hopes of leading Inter Miami to Club World Cup glory ended with a bruising 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. However, Messi’s former Barcelona teammate Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes the blame shouldn’t fall on the Argentine’s shoulders. Speaking after the MLS side’s heavy loss, Ibrahimovic argued that even a player of Messi’s stature can’t be expected to thrive when surrounded by teammates lacking the sharpness and intensity needed at the highest level.

The Swede described Messi’s teammates at Inter Miami as ‘statues’. The former PSG and Manchester United stiker opined that the lack of pace and technical quality around the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is holding him back. The fixture marked Messi’s first appearance against his former club since leaving Paris for the United States two years ago.

It Wasn’t Leo Messi Who Lost; It Was Inter Miami: Zlatan

Despite flashes of quality from Messi, Inter Miami struggled to break down PSG’s compact defense. The MLS side failed to register a shot in the opening 50 minutes while PSG were 4-0 up inside the first-half. Inter Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari made six saves to keep the scoreline respectful while PSG’s Gianluigi Donnarumma faced only three shots on target throughout the match. It laid bare the difference in quality between the two teams.

Inter Miami’s high-profile rebuild around Messi has included the signings of Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba. But Ibrahimovic was unimpressed with the performance of other Inter Miami players. Messi found himself unable to lift his team against the Champions League winners, underlining the gulf between Europe’s champions and the MLS side’s current level.

In an interview with Foot Mercato, Zlatan Ibrahimovic didn’t hold back. The Swede suggested that even Messi can’t shine when surrounded by teammates lacking the sharpness needed to compete at the highest level.

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Zlatan said,

“It wasn’t Leo Messi who lost; it was Inter Miami. Messi plays with statues, not teammates. He’s surrounded by players who run as if they were carrying bags of cement.”

“This isn’t the Messi I know. If you put him in a real team, he’d go all-out. There are no coaches, no stars, not even players who understand how to move without the ball. If he were on a real team, any great team, you’d see the real lion.”

🚨 Zlatan Ibrahimovic: "Leo Messi didn’t lose, Inter Miami did! Messi is playing with statues, not teammates. He’s surrounded by players who run as if they’re carrying bags of cement!

"If he were in a real team, in any big team, you’d see the real lion. Messi plays only because… pic.twitter.com/jOeFCiEfJk
— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) June 29, 2025

2025 FIFA Club World Cup

Inter Miami

Lionel Messi

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Abhinav Goel

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I am a soccer writer at The PlayOffs, covering everything from match analysis to transfer buzz and tactical deep dives. Ever since I was a kid, soccer has been more than just a sport to me—it’s been an obsession. Playing and watching the game from a young age fueled my passion, eventually leading me into the world of sports media and betting. Now, I get to analyze the sport I love and bring the latest updates to fans worldwide.