Lionel Messi’s future at Inter Miami forward of the MLS offseason has been one of the mentioned matters in latest weeks as he prepares for the 2026 World Cup with Argentina. After studies linking him to Galatasaray, membership president Dursun Özbek has damaged his silence on the rumors whereas addressing the crew’s UEFA Champions League ambitions.
Final week, Turkish outlet Fotomaç reported that Galatasaray are fascinated with signing Messi on a four-month mortgage deal, a transfer thought-about financially possible. The concept could be to assist the Argentine legend preserve health throughout the MLS break.
In an interview with the Turkish outlet Fanatik, Galatasaray president Dursun Özbek addressed the rumors head-on: “You may’t dwell with out dreaming. Will we someday see Messi sporting the Galatasaray shirt? Galatasaray’s biggest success lies in its signings. We didn’t make many, however we made those we wanted, and we saved the squad collectively. We preserved the spine of the crew that gained the league three years in a row — primarily the whole crew.“
For the 2025–26 season, Galatasaray accomplished the blockbuster signing of Victor Osimhen in a document €75 million deal. That payment greater than doubled the league’s second document signing of Wilfried Singo for €30.77 million earlier this season, underscoring Galatasaray’s elevated ambitions on the European stage.
Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray.
Underneath this technique of heavy funding to chase continental success, Özbek made clear he’s not afraid to spend additional. “Galatasaray’s monetary state of affairs permits us to make these signings. We’ve raised our stage of success, so individuals can ask about Messi with none challenge. On the identical time, we’ve achieved a stable monetary place and we is not going to do something that places it in danger.
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The president then emphasised that the membership’s ambitions should stay aligned with its assets: “All our work should align with our monetary capability. That’s why we now have constructed a powerful crew and we hope to have European ambitions. We’ll do no matter is critical to succeed in them.”
Messi and a possible return to the Champions League
On Monday, Messi made headlines by returning to the Camp Nou, with FC Barcelona’s official X (previously Twitter) account posting a heartfelt message: “You’re at all times welcome at your property, Leo.” Nonetheless, Galatasaray executives haven’t hesitated to specific curiosity in signing the Inter Miami star, though no credible studies have surfaced concerning a Barcelona return.
If Messi had been to return to Europe by becoming a member of Galatasaray in what could be a shocking transfer, he would have the prospect to face Diego Simeone’s Atlético Madrid and Pep Guardiola’s Manchester Metropolis within the January fixtures. With the 2026 MLS season not resuming till late February, a quick European stint might assist him preserve match sharpness.
“The Champions League is a really demanding event. Crucial groups participate in it. We wish to preserve going by ending among the many high 8 or 16. I belief my crew. I hope we attain our goal within the Champions League this yr and that we are able to please our followers with out dropping focus,” Özbek stated. Presently sitting ninth within the UCL standings with three wins and one defeat, Galatasaray have a powerful probability to advance to the following part of the competitors.
