Last month saw the 2022 FIFA World Cup end with a bang as fans were treated to a final that many will be talking about for a long time. After a three-all draw and tense penalty shoot-out, Argentina won their third World Cup at the expense of France, thus giving Lionel Messi the one trophy that has eluded him throughout his illustrious career.
One player who did not shy away from showing his support is none other than Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who was full of praise for the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner both during and after the tournament. However, the veteran striker, who once said that a "World Cup without Zlatan isn't worth watching" after Sweden were beaten 4-2 by Portugal during a play-off tie, does not apparently have the same positive feelings towards Argentina as a team.
"[Lionel] Messi is considered the best player in history, I was sure he was going to win", he noted in an interview with a French publication.
"[However] I'm worried about the others in Argentina, because they will not win anything more. Messi has won everything and he will be remembered, but the rest who behaved badly, we can't respect that. This is coming from me, speaking as a top professional player, that is a sign that you will win once, but you won't win again. You don't win like that."
Ibrahimovic did not specify which players he was "worried" about, but many can assume he is referring to the likes of Emiliano Martinez, who divided opinions due to his antics during the penalty shoot-out and following Argentina's triumph.
In any case, it remains to be seen whether Argentina, whose World Cup win now makes it three recent titles for La Albiceleste in the past two years (they also won the 2021 Copa America as well as the 2022 Finalissima) do end up winning another major title within the next few years with their current squad. They will be in action at the 2024 Copa America, which many expect Messi to be involved in after saying that he intends to continue with the squad after winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup in December.
