After Inter Miami’s humiliating 4–0 defeat to PSG in the Club World Cup, Zlatan Ibrahimović launched a scathing attack calling the team a “circus” and describing Lionel Messi as a “ghost” surrounded by lifeless teammates, raising serious doubts about the club’s competitiveness and fueling speculation about Messi’s future as he prepares for the 2026 World Cup.

Inter Miami’s crushing 4–0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Round of 16 at the FIFA Club World Cup has ignited a firestorm of criticism, with former football star Zlatan Ibrahimović unleashing some of the harshest words yet about the state of the club—and Lionel Messi’s role within it.

The result marked the end of Inter Miami’s brief but historic Club World Cup campaign, and while Messi was spared personal blame by his former teammate, the team around him was not.

The match, played in Atlanta on June 29, exposed the vast gulf between the American side and the European elite.

PSG dominated from the opening whistle, with João Neves scoring early, an own goal compounding Miami’s misery, and Achraf Hakimi adding two more to seal a 4–0 scoreline before halftime.

Despite Lionel Messi’s efforts to inspire a comeback in the second half—including a few moments of creative brilliance and long-range efforts—the MLS side never recovered.

Their journey, which had seen them beat Porto in the group stage and earn praise for advancing further than any MLS team before, came to a brutal and sobering conclusion.

In the days that followed, Zlatan Ibrahimović made headlines with a scathing analysis of the match and the state of Inter Miami.

A former LA Galaxy player who spent time in Major League Soccer and had previously played alongside Messi at Barcelona, Ibrahimović criticized the club for being poorly structured and built around aging stars with no tactical discipline.

According to him, Messi remains one of the few players in world football capable of extraordinary things—but at Inter Miami, he is surrounded by players incapable of matching his rhythm, intelligence, or intensity.

Ibrahimović’s commentary targeted more than just Miami’s on-field performance. He described the club as a disorganized “circus” where Messi is left to play among teammates who move slowly, lack awareness, and fail to understand how to play modern football without the ball.

He portrayed Messi as a figure of brilliance trapped in a broken system, where his creativity is stifled by tactical limitations and sluggish support.

Even Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba—former world-class stars now at Inter Miami—were implicitly included in his critique of a team he suggested was more ceremonial than competitive.

The loss to PSG reignited the debate about the quality of MLS and the viability of using aging European superstars as the backbone of American clubs.

While Inter Miami has seen commercial and fan engagement success since Messi’s arrival, their limitations against top-tier opposition have become increasingly apparent. The Club World Cup loss was their most high-profile reality check to date.

Though Messi was visibly frustrated during the match, he continued to battle and orchestrate plays, offering flashes of his trademark technique. Still, without consistent movement, pressing, and support from teammates, his influence was isolated.

Ibrahimović argued that even a player of Messi’s caliber cannot carry a dysfunctional squad on his own—especially against a well-drilled, elite club like PSG.

The fallout has also intensified speculation about Messi’s future. With the 2026 World Cup approaching and Messi expected to play a crucial role for Argentina, there are mounting questions about whether he might seek a loan move or temporary return to Europe to maintain his competitive edge.

Although he has never publicly indicated dissatisfaction with his current club, the idea of leaving for a short stint elsewhere now seems more plausible in the context of this public criticism and Miami’s underwhelming performances in major competitions.

Within Inter Miami, there has been no official response to Ibrahimović’s remarks. However, the criticism echoes concerns voiced in quieter corners for months—that despite the glamour and headlines, the club’s tactical identity is unclear, its reliance on veterans unsustainable, and its long-term competitiveness uncertain.

Head coach Javier Mascherano, also a former Argentina teammate of Messi, had earlier acknowledged the team’s limitations after the loss to PSG.

While praising his players for their efforts in reaching the knockout stages and bringing visibility to MLS, he admitted that the gulf in quality was undeniable. The Club World Cup experience, he said, must be used as a lesson for what’s needed to reach the next level.

For Messi, who has remained committed and professional throughout his time in Miami, the challenge now is whether to endure another season in a system that limits him or seek new surroundings where his skills can be better utilized.

At 38, he is nearing the final chapter of a legendary career, and each decision carries weight—not just for his legacy, but for his preparation to lead Argentina again on the world stage.

As the debate rages, Ibrahimović’s brutal comments serve as a jarring reminder of the expectations placed on Messi wherever he goes.

Despite scoring goals, breaking records, and attracting global attention to MLS, Messi is still judged by the highest standards. And when he is seen as falling short, it’s not just criticism—it’s an indictment of the entire system around him.

In the coming weeks, all eyes will be on Inter Miami as they regroup for their domestic campaign. Whether they will adapt, invest, and restructure—or continue on their current path—remains to be seen.

But the warning has been sounded: Messi’s magic may be fading not because he’s slowing down, but because he’s being asked to perform alone in an empty tent.

For a player who has conquered Europe, South America, and the world, being seen as a “ghost” in the midst of a “circus” may be the most damning image of all.