Ibrahimovic: AC Milan Star Backs Messi’s Argentina to Win World Cup 2022

• Ibrahimovic has backed his former teammate Lionel Messi to win the World Cup in Qatar
• His country Sweden failed to make it to the World Cup finals this year after losing to out Poland
• The veteran striker played with Messi for one season at Barcelona under Pep Guardiola

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has thrown his weight behind Lionel Messi as the World Cup gets into its unforgiving stage.

The quarterfinals battle will start on Friday 9th December with Argentina facing the Netherlands after record champions Brazil play 2018 finalists Croatia.

Messi's side remain one of the favourites to win the title despite an early setback after they went down to minnows Saudi Arabia.

Lionel Scaloni's side has since bounced back with comfortable wins over Mexico, Poland and Australia.

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Zlatan's wishes

Ibrahimovic has now expressed his desire to see Messi lift the title on December 18th.

"I hope Argentina wins the World Cup because of Messi," as quoted by Football Espana.

Ibrahimovic and Messi shared the Barcelona dressing room from 2009 and 2010. The Swede's times at Blaugrana was not eventful after he failed to see eye to eye with Pep Guardiola.

If they go past Louis Van Gaal's charges, Argentina will face either Croatia or Brazil in the semi-finals. One of England, France, Morocco or Portugal awaits in the final if they make it through.

Ibrahimovic retirement plans

Ibrahimovic meanwhile has rejected calls for him to retire after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury earlier this year. He is expected to make a full recovery next month and return to action after extending his Milan contract. He was part of the Rossoneri squad that won the Scudetto last season.

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Netherlands goalkeeper on Messi

Sports Brief had earlier reported that Holland goalkeeper Andries Noppert has backed himself to beat Lionel Messi on penalty shoot-outs.

The 6 foot 8 inches tall shot-stopper is in high spirits ahead of Holland's quarterfinal showdown with Messi's Argentina, thanks to his sterling performance in the World Cup so far.

Noppert referenced Messi's penalty blip against Poland which made the Argentine equal an unwanted record of missing two penalties in the history of the World Cup.

Messi's World Cup wish in jeopardy

Argentina's wish of winning this year's World Cup in Qatar hangs in the balance after a 'Time Traveller' shared the winner of the tournament on TikTok.

La Albiceleste are looking to win back-to-back major tournaments in the Middle East country, having ended a 28-year wait for a major trophy by winning the Copa America last year in Brazil.

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Lionel Messi and his teammates will face the Netherlands in a mouthwatering quarter-final clash at the Lusail Iconic Stadium on Friday evening, with the winner facing either Brazil or Croatia in the semi-finals.