Zlatan Ibrahimovic hails Messi as irreplaceable after World Cup heroics against Algeria
Former Sweden international Zlatan Ibrahimovic praised Lionel Messi as uniquely gifted after Argentina's 3-0 victory over Algeria in their World Cup 2026 opener on Wednesday morning. Speaking on Fox Sports, Ibrahimovic said 'everything he touches turns into glory' and suggested there may never be another player like Messi in football history. Messi's hat-trick secured Argentina's win and set three records according to reports. Ibrahimovic emphasized Messi's innate talent and ability to step up when needed, stating 'the sport of football seems to exist for him.' This comes amid broader World Cup coverage including Cristiano Ronaldo's struggles and other tournament developments. While primarily entertainment content, the comments highlight Messi's continued influence on global football and comparisons to other legends.