The MLS side were dumped out of the Club World Cup after a 4-0 loss to PSG last weekend but Ibrahimovic felt that Messi was unable to produce his best because he is playing with inferior team-mates.

The former Sweden striker - who played alongside Messi at Barcelona - told French outlet Foot Mercato: "It wasn't Leo Messi who lost; it was Inter Miami.

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

"This isn't the Messi I know. If you put him in a real team, he'd go all-out.

"There are no coaches, no stars, not even players who understand how to move without the ball. If he were on a real team, any great team, you'd see the real lion.

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

The Argentine legend did give glimpses of his quality against PSG and is pleased with the overall campaign Inter Miami had at the Club World Cup.

He told DS Sport: "It was the game we expected. We tried to do the best possible, and we left a good image at the Club World Cup level."

Messi added that Inter Miami's exit was harder to swallow after they squandered a 2-0 lead against Palmeiras that meant they had to take on the Champions League winners in the last 16.

He said: "We remain with the sentiment against Palmeiras that winning the game 2-0 and drawing we had to face PSG, which was more complicated.

"Getting the draw in the final minutes left a sour taste."