Former Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimović has urged Lionel Messi‘s teammates to raise their performance levels, insisting the Argentina captain cannot shoulder the team’s responsibility alone.
Speaking on Fox Sports after Argentina’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Egypt in Tuesday’s FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash, Ibrahimovic praised Messi’s influence but stressed that the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner needs greater support from those around him.
Egypt took an early advantage through goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico, putting the North Africans in control before Argentina mounted a comeback.
Messi sparked the revival, while Cristian Romero and Enzo Fernandez also found the net to complete the turnaround and send Lionel Scaloni’s side into the World Cup quarter-finals.
Reacting to the performance, Ibrahimovic said Messi had once again proven his quality but warned that Argentina’s success would depend on the contributions of the entire squad.
“If I have to be a little bit critical, his teammates need to step it up and also help him because he has been on another level,” Ibrahimovic said.
He added that while Messi is capable of leading Argentina deep into the tournament, the team must provide more support if they hope to lift the World Cup trophy.
“If he can carry on and bring it all the way to the final and really take the final pieces, we will not be surprised, but he needs help, to be fair,” the former striker stated.