Club President Teases Stunning Lionel Messi European Comeback
Galatasaray's president Dursun Özbek has suggested that his team's financial capabilities could facilitate a stunning winter acquisition of Lionel Messi, though he stopped short of fully endorsing such a transfer.
Unsubstantiated speculation connecting Inter Miami's skipper to a January departure has circulated in recent weeks as the MLS campaign nears its conclusion. The possibility of Messi facing nearly two months without competitive football before the 2026 season resumes in February has sparked worries about the 38-year-old's fitness levels heading into June's World Cup.
Following numerous evasive comments, Messi has finally acknowledged he will assist Argentina in defending their championship this summer. The iconic striker has also signed a fresh three-year deal with Inter Miami, though a temporary European loan remains theoretically possible.
Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham famously employed this strategy during his LA Galaxy days, spending early 2010 at AC Milan before that year's World Cup. Turkish powerhouse Galatasaray has been mentioned as a possible winter destination for Messi to maintain his match fitness.
What initially appeared as mere wishful thinking gained additional legitimacy through Galatasaray president Özbek's comments. When questioned about these speculations at last week's Bosphorus Sports Summit, the 76-year-old responded: "Did you mention Messi?
"Galatasaray's greatest strength lies in the signings we've completed. We didn't pursue numerous transfers, but we secured the ones we required and maintained our squad. We preserved the core of the team that claimed three consecutive titles, particularly the entire roster.
"I'm confident we assembled a winning team through strategic acquisitions. We've set extremely high standards. We completed the largest transfer in Turkish football history. Galatasaray's financial position supports these major signings. We've elevated our success to exceptional levels, which is why you can legitimately pose the Messi question."
Gala leads their domestic competition and are competing for a top-eight position in the Champions League's league phase standings. The dominant club demonstrated the financial strength Özbek boasts about by acquiring Victor Osimhen for a record-breaking €75 million ($86.8 million) this summer.
"Throughout this process, we've maintained solid financial health and avoid anything that could jeopardize this stability," Özbek continued. "Every initiative we undertake must remain within our financial means. This approach has enabled us to build an excellent squad, and we harbor European ambitions. We'll pursue whatever is necessary to achieve these objectives."
Will Lionel Messi Join Galatasaray?
Despite Özbek's confident assertions, there seems to be minimal substance behind the notion of Messi arriving in Istanbul this winter. Fabrizio Romano barely contained his amusement while rejecting the speculation as "nothing genuinely concrete."
The dominant narrative suggests Messi remains completely committed to Inter Miami. The Argentine cited his family's contentment as the primary reason for extending his contract with the club—a stark contrast to his experience at Paris Saint-Germain, where he failed to reach his customary standards.
The notion that Messi, someone who values his personal life so highly, would disrupt everything for a four-month stint in the Süper Lig seems unrealistic. This becomes even more implausible when considering Inter Miami's perspective on any potential offer. It's difficult to envision the club allowing their prized asset to venture into the unpredictable world of Turkish elite football.