Could Lionel Messi eye a winter return to the Champions League?

November 10, 2025 Oliver Obel

The Argentine star has been in imperious form since arriving in the United States, finishing the MLS regular season as the league’s top scorer with 29 goals — five more than Denis Bouanga and Sam Surridge.

With the competition now entering its playoff phase, Messi’s club duties could conclude as early as this weekend if Inter Miami fall to Nashville in their decisive third-round match.

If eliminated, the 38-year-old forward would face several months without competitive football, as the new MLS campaign does not resume until March 2026.

That gap could open the door for a temporary European return — a move that would keep Messi sharp ahead of Argentina’s defence of their World Cup title next summer.

Galatasaray’s ambitious plan

According to Turkish outlet Fotomac, as reported by Mundo Deportivo, Galatasaray are exploring the possibility of offering Messi a short-term deal during the January transfer window.

The Istanbul giants, who have already secured marquee names such as Victor Osimhen, Leroy Sané and İlkay Gündoğan this season, appear eager to add another global superstar as they seek to reassert their presence among Europe’s elite.

Sources close to the club indicate that Galatasaray’s board is closely monitoring Messi’s situation and could present an official proposal once the window opens. The team currently sit ninth in the UEFA Champions League League Phase with three wins from four matches, potentially giving Messi another chance to perform on Europe’s biggest stage.

Why a move makes sense

Messi, who inspired Argentina’s World Cup triumph in Qatar in 2022, is expected to feature in his final edition of the tournament in 2026. Remaining in top condition is a priority, and a short-term European spell could provide the perfect competitive bridge through the MLS off-season.

Such a move would also echo past decisions by football icons David Beckham and Zlatan Ibrahimović, both of whom took temporary European loans during their MLS careers to maintain form ahead of major tournaments.

A coup for Turkish football

Bringing Messi to Istanbul, even briefly, would represent one of the most remarkable moments in Turkish football history — both on and off the pitch. His arrival would not only electrify fans at Rams Park but also elevate Galatasaray’s global profile in sponsorship and media visibility.

Whether Inter Miami and Messi’s camp would entertain such an arrangement remains to be seen, but the very notion of the world champion returning to Europe — and to a passionate footballing city like Istanbul — is enough to stir excitement across the continent.

Would a winter loan really make sense?

While the idea of Messi returning to Europe — even briefly — is tantalizing, several practical hurdles make such a move uncertain.

Inter Miami, co-owned by David Beckham, have built their entire brand around Messi’s presence, and any temporary departure would carry commercial and competitive risks. The club’s pre-season preparations for 2026 are expected to revolve heavily around him.

Financially, too, arranging a short-term loan would be complex. Messi’s salary and sponsorship obligations in the United States are intertwined with Major League Soccer’s central agreements and Apple’s global streaming deal, making a temporary transfer far from straightforward.

From Messi’s perspective, the benefits are clearer. A few months of high-level competition in Europe could help him maintain rhythm ahead of Argentina’s World Cup defence, while offering one last taste of Champions League football — a stage he dominated for nearly two decades. Yet at 38, managing fatigue and avoiding injury are just as critical as staying match-fit.

In the end, whether such a move materializes may depend less on Galatasaray’s ambition and more on Messi’s priorities: balancing his enduring competitive edge with the realities of his career’s final chapter.

Sources: Fotomac, Mundo Deportivo, MLS.com