Messi is playing with statues, not teammates': Zlatan Ibrahimovic defends Leo after Inter Miami's loss to PSG

AC Milan advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic has leapt to Lionel Messi's defence after Inter Miami's 4-0 loss to PSG in the FIFA Club World Cup Round of 16 clash, according to Tribuna.com.

Reacting to Inter Miami's elimination from the competition, Zlatan stated: "Leo Messi didn’t lose, Inter Miami did! Messi is playing with statues, not teammates. He’s surrounded by players who run as if they’re carrying bags of cement!

"If he were in a real team, in any big team, you’d see the real lion. Messi plays only because he loves the game, because he can still do what 99% of players cannot!

"There are no coaches, no stars, not even players who understand how to move without the ball! This is not the Messi I know, if you put him in a real team, he’ll still set the stadium on fire!"

Messi scored one goal in four Club World Cup games for Inter Miami, helping them make the knockout rounds.