Zlatan Ibrahimovic has unleashed harsh criticism on Inter Miami’s players after their 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Round of 16 of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. The former star striker defended Lionel Messi, arguing that the team’s poor performance, not Messi, was the reason for the loss.
Ibrahimovic called Messi’s teammates “statues,” saying they lack movement and understanding to support a player of Messi’s level. “Messi still has extraordinary talent that 99% of players cannot match,”
Ibrahimovic said. “But he is surrounded by players who run as if they carry bags of cement.” He added that the team lacks coaches, stars, and players who know how to move without the ball.
He went further, comparing Inter Miami to a “circus” and describing Messi as a “big ghost” unable to shine in such a setting.
Ibrahimovic suggested that if Messi played at a top European club like PSG or Manchester City, or with stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, or even himself, the results would be different.
These sharp comments have sparked debate about Inter Miami’s strategy of relying on aging stars and whether the MLS offers the competitive environment Messi needs, especially with the 2026 World Cup nearing.
Ibrahimovic’s words underline the challenges Miami faces in proving their project is more than just big names and marketing.
