Zlatan Ibrahimovic defends Messi and criticises Mbappé

Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic stepped in after Argentina’s 2‑1 win over Egypt, defending Lionel Messi while taking aim at Kylian Mbappé. He claimed that referee decisions were part of a deliberate effort to diminish Messi’s legacy.

Ibrahimovic’s remarks added another layer of controversy to the heated World Cup atmosphere.