Messi Lifting World Cup For Argentina Is 'Already-Written', Claims Ibrahimovic

The World Cup victory for Lionel Messi and Argentina in Qatar 2022 "is already written," says Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

• South American superstar shines at Qatar 2022
• Old teammates hope for the ultimate glory
• Ronaldo's eternal rival now has no club

WHAT HAPPENED?

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The enigmatic Swede spent a season working with the mercurial South American at Barcelona in 2009-10 and was fully aware of his importance to any cause. Messi is back in action for his country in the Middle East, scoring four goals in five games, and Ibrahimovic believes it's time for the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner to get his hands on the most prestigious award.

WHAT THEY SAID:

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Ibrahimovic said before the World Cup semi-final: “I think it's already written who will win, and you know who I mean. I think Messi will lift the trophy, it's already written.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE:

While discussing Messi's immediate future, Ibrahimovic also spoke about the recent past of another great player - Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. The former Manchester United frontman spoke of watching a colleague have a lucrative contract at Old Trafford ripped apart: “His exiting United, I think when things happen, we will never know the true story. They say what they want to say, he says what he needs to say to protect himself, then you have the coach that says these things to protect himself. Then the club says things – not like me, I will tell you how it really happened. But we are all different. Everybody is careful about their image. For me the perfect image is being yourself. The true story we will not know my friend.”

WHAT NEXT?

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Ronaldo was knocked out of the 2022 World Cup as Portugal suffered a shock defeat to Morocco in the quarter-finals, but Messi is now ready for the semi-final against Croatia on Tuesday.