Argentine football legend Lionel Messi is contemplating a short-term switch to Turkish giants Galatasaray to sharpen his form ahead of the 2026 World Cup, but only if he can limit appearances to home fixtures in Istanbul, according to reports from a local commentator.
The 39-year-old Inter Miami captain, an eight-time Ballon d’Or recipient, is on hiatus before the MLS campaign resumes on February 21, prompting speculation about a four-month arrangement covering 12 matches to avoid injury risks.
Turkish pundit Levent Tüzemen claimed: “The management confirmed it too. They wanted to arrange Lionel Messi for Galatasaray from the USA. Messi says that the tempo in the American league is too demanding for him and he does not want to go to the World Cup injured. Al Hilal made an offer and he did not accept it. If Messi comes, one million people will go to the airport. Messi said he would come on the condition that he plays in Istanbul. He stated that he would play 12 matches provided he does not go to away games.”
Such a move would reunite Messi with forward Victor Osimhen, who spearheaded Galatasaray’s domestic double triumph in the 2024/25 season, netting 37 goals in 47 outings.
Galatasaray, perched atop the Super Lig with 49 points after 24 games—three clear of Fenerbahce—face six remaining home league clashes, a Turkish Cup home tie, and a UEFA Champions League playoff home leg against Juventus.
Club president Dursun Ozbek, speaking in October, had teased the possibility: “You can’t live without dreaming. Will we see Messi wearing the Galatasaray shirt one day? We have set the bar very high. Our financial situation allows us to ask about Messi without a problem. We have raised our level of success and consolidated our financial stability, which is why people can now ask us about Messi without hesitation.”
