Ibrahimovic Defends Messi After Club World Cup Exit: “He’s Still Going to Set the Stadium on Fire”
Lionel Messi may have exited the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup early with Inter Miami, but he’s far from finished at least, according to Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Following the 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday (29), the Argentine star became the center of heavy online criticism. Yet, football legends like Zlatan and Luis Enrique quickly came to his defense.
PSG Crushes Inter Miami as Messi Faces Harsh Criticism
PSG secured their spot in the quarterfinals after routing Inter Miami with goals from João Neves (2), Hakimi, and an own goal by Avilés all in the first half at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Messi, who was kept silent in the opening 45 minutes by a suffocating PSG defense, had a more active second half, but it wasn’t enough to save his side from elimination.
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Fans took to social media to criticize the performance:
“Messi needs a great team to win, confirmed.”
“He’s not at the level to play in Europe anymore.”
Despite the backlash, Sofascore rated Messi as Inter Miami’s best player on the night, with a score of 7.4, thanks to his effort in the second half including a dangerous shot on target and 89% pass accuracy.
Zlatan: “Messi didn’t lose. Inter Miami lost!”
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, never one to hold back, strongly defended Messi and shifted the blame to his teammates:
“Leo Messi didn’t lose, Inter Miami lost! Messi is playing with statues, not teammates… If he was in a real team, you’d see the real lion.”
“He plays because he loves football. He still does what 99% of players can’t. If you put him in a real team, he will set the stadium on fire!”
Zlatan’s remarks have gone viral, highlighting the perceived gap between Messi’s level and the quality of the Inter Miami squad.
Luis Enrique: “Messi is the greatest in history — without a doubt”
Former Barcelona coach Luis Enrique, now managing PSG, also spoke in Messi’s defense post-match:
“I had the opportunity to coach Messi in his prime… A prime that lasted 10 to 15 years. He is the greatest player in football history, without a doubt.”
Luis Enrique, sobre Lionel Messi:
“Eu tive a oportunidade de treinar um Messi em sua plenitude… Uma plenitude que durou uns 10, 15 anos. Ele é o maior jogador da história do futebol, sem dúvida nenhuma.” pic.twitter.com/il0Jj1zXAD
— Curiosidades Europa (@CuriosidadesEU) June 29, 2025
Messi’s Stats vs PSG
- 4 shots: 2 blocked, 1 on target, 1 off target
- 48 actions with the ball
- 89% pass accuracy
- 1 key pass, 1 dribble, 0 goals
