Former Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimović has urged Argentina’s players to provide greater support for Lionel Messi as the reigning world champions prepare for their 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-final.
Speaking ahead of Argentina’s last-eight clash, Zlatan stressed that while Messi remains one of the greatest footballers in history, the team cannot rely solely on the veteran captain to carry them through every match.
According to Ibrahimović, Argentina have enough quality throughout the squad and every player must step up when it matters most. He noted that opponents are likely to focus heavily on stopping Messi, making it essential for his teammates to contribute both defensively and in attack.
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Argentina booked their place in the quarter-finals after overcoming Egypt in the Round of 16, with Messi once again playing a key role in the victory. They will now face Switzerland for a place in the semi-finals.
Messi has been one of the standout performers at the tournament, but Zlatan believes Argentina’s chances of retaining the World Cup will depend on the entire squad delivering strong performances rather than placing all the responsibility on their captain.
The quarter-final encounter is expected to be one of the most closely contested matches of the tournament as Argentina look to continue their title defence and move a step closer to another World Cup triumph.
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