Zlatan Ibrahimovic defended Lionel Messi after Inter Miami's elimination from the FIFA Club World Cup, comparing the superstar's teammates to "statues."

Inter Miami and Messi suffered a 4-0 loss to his former club, Paris Saint-Germain, in the round of 16 on Sunday. Ibrahimovic, who played alongside Messi at Barcelona, was disappointed with Miami's performance, as they conceded four goals in the first half against the Champions League winners.

"It wasn't Leo Messi who lost; it was Inter Miami," the former Swedish forward said.

"Messi plays with statues, not teammates. He's surrounded by players who run as if they were carrying bags of cement."

Ibrahimovic, who briefly played in MLS for LA Galaxy, explained that fans did not see the best version of Messi at the Club World Cup due to the lack of talent in Inter Miami's squad.

"This isn't the Messi I know," he said. "In a proper team, he'd perform at his peak. There are no great coaches, no stars, and not even players who understand how to move without the ball. On any elite team, you'd see the real lion in him."

"Messi plays alone because he loves the game and can do what 99% of players can't. But this isn't the Messi I know," he added.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, Messi, emphasized the positives. Inter Miami, which defeated FC Porto 2-1 in the group stage, became the first MLS team to beat a European club in official competition and the only one to reach the knockout round in this tournament.

"It was the game we expected," Messi, 38, said after the loss to PSG. "We tried our best and left a good impression at the Club World Cup level."