Minutes after the final whistle, PSG legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic was asked about Messi's defeat. "Messi's defeat? No. Don't talk about defeat as if it's his fault. It wasn't Messi who lost, it was Inter Miami", the former Swedish striker replied.

Ibrahimovic after Inter Miami's loss to PSG at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, USA, FIFA Club World Cup round of 16 on 29/6/2025. Photo: WarmUp

Ibrahimovic after Inter Miami's loss to PSG at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, USA, FIFA Club World Cup round of 16 on 29/6/2025. Photo: WarmUp

Ibrahimovic, Messi's teammate at Barcelona from 2009-2011 and later at PSG from 2012-2016, didn't hold back in his criticism of Messi's current Inter Miami teammates. "You have to see Inter Miami to understand. Messi is playing with statues, not teammates," the 43-year-old added. "If he were in a real team, like in Paris or Manchester, or any big club, we would see him play like a lion."

Miami conceded four goals in the first half without registering a single shot. In the second half, they created eight chances but failed to score. Messi had four shots, two of which were saved by goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. He also created two other opportunities that his teammates couldn't convert.

Besides Messi, Miami has three other established European players: defender Jordi Alba, midfielder Sergio Busquets, and striker Luis Suarez, all over 35. Apart from them, they lack any other star-caliber players.

"Messi is still playing because he loves football, and he can still do 99% of what 99% of other players can't," Ibrahimovic added. "But he's surrounded by players who run like they have cement shoes. Miami has no coach, no stars, not even players who know how to move off the ball. If you want to blame Messi, wait until he plays with Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, or Zlatan. Then you can criticize him. Not today."

Ibrahimovic didn't hesitate to criticize coach Javier Mascherano, despite being his teammate at Barcelona during the 2010-2011 season. Mascherano has been coaching Miami since 11/2024, his first job with a professional club. Miami's win rate under Mascherano is 50%, lower than his predecessor Tata Martino's 52%.

Ibrahimovic likened Messi to "a great ghost in the circus." "But be careful. If you give Messi a real team, he will set the field on fire again," the former striker, who scored 561 goals in his career, added. "Messi is still Messi. It's that simple. Today wasn't Messi's loss, it was the loss of Inter Miami and football."

Compiled by Hoang An