Swedish soccer legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic, never one to shy away from the spotlight, has offered a rare moment of self-deprecation in the wake of Lionel Messi’s historic start to the 2026 World Cup. The former Barcelona and Manchester United striker, now working as a pundit, turned the spotlight on his own international record to emphasize the sheer dominance of the Argentine maestro. When asked about Messi’s latest heroics, Ibrahimovic did not hold back on the praise, even as he humorously highlighted his own failings on the world’s biggest stage.

Messi continued his breathtaking form by scoring twice in Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Austria at Dallas Stadium. The performance came on the heels of a hat-trick against Algeria in the tournament opener, bringing his total to five goals in the 2026 tournament. With his opening goal against Austria, Messi broke the all-time men's World Cup scoring record previously held by Germany's Miroslav Klose, reaching a total of 18 career goals in the competition. The brace cemented his place as the outright leader in World Cup history and sent the defending champions into the knockout rounds.

Ibrahimovic, who played alongside Messi at Barcelona between 2009 and 2011, was quick to pay tribute. Speaking on Fox Sports, the Swedish icon dissected the moment that defined Messi's night: an early missed penalty that could have derailed a lesser player. "It was never in doubt," Ibrahimovic said. "You have moments where he looks human, like missing the penalty. Then you have the moments when he doesn't look human. That's Messi. So far, it's his World Cup".

The 44-year-old then pivoted to a comparison that immediately caught the attention of soccer fans worldwide. With a smile, the Swedish great pointed out the staggering contrast between his own World Cup record and the one Messi is currently building. "Five goals in two games," Ibrahimovic stated. "I have zero goals in two World Cups. So I'm happy for him, and I hope he continues". Ibrahimovic represented Sweden in the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, appearing in a total of five matches without finding the back of the net, a statistic he was all too willing to reference for the sake of context.

The Swedish legend, who scored 62 goals in 122 appearances for his country, emphasized that the World Cup stage has never dulled Messi's ability despite his advancing age. He noted that Messi, who turns 39 on June 24, is performing with a level of control that goes beyond physicality. "The older you get, the more speed you lose, but this guy is a genius," Ibrahimovic observed. "He doesn't need his body; he just needs to play with his head. He just needs to organize everyone else and put himself in the right situations". He added that Messi’s ability to command the flow of the game even after a setback is what separates him from the rest of the field.

The comments from the ex-Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan striker have resonated deeply with fans and analysts, particularly because Ibrahimovic is known for his unshakable confidence and occasional claims of greatness. Observers noted that the bravado the Swede is famous for appears to vanish whenever he discusses the Argentine captain. Ibrahimovic’s remarks signal a consensus within the soccer world that Messi is operating in a realm of his own, with even the most ego-driven players acknowledging his supremacy.

In addition to his goals in the 2026 tournament, Messi has now scored in six consecutive World Cup matches, equaling a record previously held by Just Fontaine and Jairzinho. He is now the sole leader in World Cup goals, surpassing Klose, and has scored in four different editions of the tournament. As he prepares to lead Argentina into the Round of 32 and beyond, Messi shows no signs of slowing down, much to the delight of a global audience—including his former teammate. Ibrahimovic’s willingness to laugh at his own expense only underscores the unique place Messi has carved in the history of the sport.

With Argentina already qualified, Messi has a chance to add to his tally in the final group match against Jordan. The soccer world is watching closely to see if the genius Ibrahimovic described can continue his surreal pace and lead Argentina to a second consecutive World Cup title.