Lionel Messi lineup up for shock transfer despite signing new Inter Miami contract

Galatasaray are aiming to finalize a significant agreement to bring Messi in from Inter Miami on a temporary basis during January.

The Super Lig giants are eager to acquire the Major League Soccer star to provide him with match time ahead of the World Cup, according to dramatic claims emerging from Turkey.

Messi has recently penned a new deal with Inter Miami, committing himself to the club until the conclusion of the 2028 season, by which time he will be 41.

It’s conceivable that this could be the iconic player’s final contract before he retires. Still, there may be another unexpected chapter in the celebrated striker’s extraordinary journey.

Reports now indicate that the Argentina international might add a fresh team to his list—should he accept Galatasaray’s proposal, with FotoMac revealing that the veteran is under close observation by the club’s leadership.

Speculation suggests the opportunity might be appealing to Messi as a way to maintain peak condition ahead of the upcoming World Cup, set to be hosted in the United States.

With the MLS entering its off-season soon, a short-term departure for Messi could become feasible.

Inter Miami are aiming to stay in contention until December 6, the date of the MLS Cup final. They’ve advanced to the play-offs following the conclusion of the regular campaign.

Messi’s team has alternated victories with Nashville SC, and they face a decisive match this weekend to move beyond the opening round.

The Florida-based squad secured third place in the Eastern Conference, trailing Philadelphia and Cincinnati, earning a spot in the play-offs. Messi currently leads the MLS scoring charts with 32 goals.

Between December and March, Messi won’t be active in domestic competition—a window Galatasaray hopes to exploit.

Messi’s £15million salary in Miami, supported by Adidas and Apple, might deter potential bidders, but Galatasaray have shown a willingness to invest heavily in recent times. They acquired Victor Osimhen for a national record of £65million, offering him £250,000 per week.

Leroy Sane received a contract valued at approximately £7.6m annually, while Ilkay Gundogan joined the Istanbul side with a yearly wage of around £4m. Adding Messi would further elevate Okan Buruk’s roster.

The 2022 World Cup winner is already contemplating retirement. After receiving the key to the city of Miami, Messi acknowledged he’s reflecting on his future.

“I’ve had a very long sporting career — I still do — and I’ve always had trusted people around me who took care of those things for me. But lately, I’ve become much more interested in what’s being done and what can be done. Unfortunately, football has an expiration date. At some point, it comes to an end,“ he said.

“I like to start looking at what could come next. I like the business world; I want to keep learning. I’m just getting started with it,” he stated. “I’ve always been 100% dedicated to my profession, but I know that something else is coming — another world — and little by little, I’m getting involved.”