### Zlatan Ibrahimovic Critiques Inter Miami's Performance Following Club World Cup Exit - Inter Miami, led by Lionel Messi, faced a disappointing exit from the FIFA Club World Cup after a 4-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the Round of 16. This defeat has sparked significant commentary, particularly from former football star Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who criticized the quality of Messi's teammates, likening them to "statues" on the field. Ibrahimovic's remarks highlight the perceived lack of support for Messi, who has been a pivotal figure for the team since joining [https://nypost.com/2025/06/30/sports/zlatan-ibrahimovic-blasts-inter-miami-players-after-club-world-cup-loss]. ### Breakdown of Key Events and Reactions 1. **Inter Miami's Performance**: - The team was eliminated from the Club World Cup after a heavy defeat to PSG, raising questions about their competitiveness on the international stage [https://www.sportingnews.com/in/football/news/whats-next-lionel-messi-after-club-world-cup-exit/d373f8ae3bc70adf6e0ee4be]. 2. **Zlatan Ibrahimovic's Critique**: - Ibrahimovic expressed his frustration with the team's performance, stating that Messi is "playing with statues," indicating a lack of dynamism and support from his teammates [https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/45627646/zlatan-ibrahimovic-lionel-messi-plays-statues-inter-miami]. 3. **Messi's Response**: - Messi himself acknowledged the disappointment of the loss, describing it as a "bitter feeling" and reflecting on the circumstances leading to the match against PSG [https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/news-there-bit-bitter-feeling-lionel-messi-laments-situation-led-psg-clash-club-world-cup-inter-miami-suffer-4-0-loss]. 4. **Financial Implications**: - Despite the loss, Inter Miami's participation in the tournament secured them $21.05 million in prize money, which is significantly more than what they could earn from a successful season in Major League Soccer [https://www.abc27.com/sports/sports-illustrated/f0c10c0f/big-ghost-in-a-circus-zlatan-ibrahimovic-weighs-in-on-messi-inter-miami-thrashing]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Match Statistics**: - Inter Miami's loss to PSG was marked by a lack of offensive pressure, with the team failing to register significant attempts on goal. - The financial outcome of their participation in the Club World Cup was notably lucrative, with a prize of **$21.05 million** awarded for their efforts [https://www.abc27.com/sports/sports-illustrated/48e92039/paris-saint-germain-4-0-inter-miami-takeaways-as-lionel-messis-herons-crash-out-of-club-world-cup]. ### Conclusion: Analyzing the Aftermath of Inter Miami's Club World Cup Exit - **Key Findings**: 1. **Disappointing Performance**: Inter Miami's exit from the Club World Cup has raised concerns about the team's overall quality and competitiveness. 2. **Ibrahimovic's Critique**: Zlatan's comments reflect a broader sentiment regarding the need for better support for Messi within the squad. 3. **Messi's Leadership**: Despite the loss, Messi continues to be a central figure, expressing disappointment but also resilience in facing challenges. 4. **Financial Gains**: The financial rewards from the tournament provide a silver lining, indicating that participation can still be beneficial despite on-field failures. In summary, while Inter Miami's performance in the Club World Cup was underwhelming, the financial benefits and ongoing support for Messi may provide a foundation for future improvements [https://www.themirror.com/sport/soccer/zlatan-ibrahimovic-lionel-messi-miami-1236620].