'Messi is playing with statues, not team-mates' - Zlatan Ibrahimovic tears into Inter Miami as he launches fierce defence of Leo after feeble Club World Cup exit in rout by PSG

Inter Miami were brutally exposed in the round of 16 at the FIFA Club World Cup, suffering a crushing 4-0 defeat to European treble winners Paris Saint-Germain. The Ligue 1 giants netted all four goals in the first half, leaving Messi helpless despite his attempts to orchestrate play. The performance from the Major League Soccer outfit drew widespread criticism, and many pointed fingers at Messi for failing to inspire a response in such a big match.

The heavy defeat renewed debate over Messi's future in competitive football, with some fans calling him 'past his prime.' But others, including footballing great Ibrahimovic, argued the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner is being let down by a lack of quality around him. Inter Miami have struggled to compete at the highest level, and their display in Orlando only widened the gap between MLS and European elite clubs like PSG.

Speaking to FootMercato, Zlatan said: "Messi's defeat? No, no, don't talk about the defeat as if it were his fault! Messi didn't lose, Inter Miami did! Have you seen this team? Messi plays among statues, not teammates! If he were in a real team, in Paris, in Manchester, in any big team, you would have seen the real lion.

"Messi only plays because he loves the game, because he can still do what 99% of players can't! But he's surrounded by those who run as if they were carrying bags of cement! There are no coaches, no stars, not even players who understand how to move without the ball! You want to blame Messi?

"When he plays with Ronaldo, with Mbappe, with Haaland, with Zlatan. Then you can talk! But today? No, no, no. That's not the Messi I know, he's a big ghost who plays in a circus! But be careful, if you give him a real team, he'll burn the stadium down again! Because, quite simply. Messi is still Messi, but today? It's not his defeat, it's the defeat of Inter Miami and football."

Inter Miami must regroup quickly as they prepare for the MLS restart and a busy domestic campaign. For Messi, the focus will be on staying fit and potentially reuniting with higher-calibre teammates in international duty later this year, as he will be keen on being ready for the 2026 World Cup.