Zlatan Ibrahimovic calls Lionel Messi a 'GHOST' as he hits out at Inter Miami 'circus' after Club World Cup exit
Ibrahimovic, an ex-teammate of Messi having spent two seasons together at Barcelona, was quick to shift the blame away from the Argentine following the embarrassment of their Club World Cup last- 16 thrashing.
Questioned on Messi's failure to provide his usual magical impact during Sunday's defeat, the Swede responded: 'Messi only plays because he loves the game, because he can still do what 99 percent 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!'
The ex-LA Galaxy forward and self-proclaimed 'best player in MLS history' Ibrahimovic's comments reflect his long-standing disregard for the quality of the MLS, labelling the 2024 Supporters' Shield champions Inter Miami as not a 'real team'.
The Inter Miami side contains some of the former best players in European football in Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
Ibrahimovic's judgement on the team's lack of 'stars' without Messi offers a powerful ruling on the lack of impact these former greats have had and will surely serve to strengthen the age-old view of the league as little more than a retirement home for ageing European superstars.
However, Messi wasn't completely exempt from responsibility for the PSG thrashing.
According to Ibrahimovic, Messi has become a 'big ghost who plays in a circus' during his time at the Herons, unable to produce his maximum level of performance in a squad that fails to match the eight-time Ballon d'Or winners' world class credentials.
Such a damning verdict on Inter Miami's lack of quality without their star player will certainly raise further questions as to where Messi might be playing his football next season.
With the 2026 World Cup just around the corner, Ibrahimovic's comments will only add more fuel to the growing rumors of a potential loan move away from America as the 2022 World Cup winner looks to best prepare himself to help defend Argentina's title.
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