Galatasaray President Dursun Özbek Hints at Ambitious Move for Lionel Messi

In what could become one of football’s most surprising transfer stories, Galatasaray president Dursun Özbek has suggested that the Turkish giants might attempt to lure Lionel Messi from Inter Miami.

The 38-year-old Argentine, who currently plays in Major League Soccer, has been linked with a potential off-season move to Turkey — a switch that would shock many fans but could also offer Messi valuable playing time ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Speaking in an interview with Fanatik, Özbek playfully entertained the idea when asked about the possibility of signing the football legend.

“Did you say Messi? Galatasaray’s most successful point is the transfers it has made,” Özbek said.

“We have raised the level of success to a high level, so you can easily ask the Messi question.

“While doing all this, we have achieved a good financial situation and we are not doing anything that will disrupt this.

“All the work we do has to stay within our financial capacity.”

His comments have since set football fans buzzing with excitement — and curiosity — as many wonder if Galatasaray could truly pull off such a monumental signing.

💭 Opinion: Could Galatasaray Be Messi’s Next Great Adventure?

At first glance, the thought of Lionel Messi playing in Turkey might seem far-fetched. After all, he’s currently enjoying a relaxed lifestyle at Inter Miami, surrounded by former Barcelona teammates and adored by fans in the U.S.

But when you think deeper, Galatasaray’s ambition and passion could actually make it an intriguing possibility. The club has a massive global fan base, a fiery atmosphere at the RAMS Park Stadium, and a proud tradition of bringing in legendary names toward the twilight of their careers — from Didier Drogba to Wesley Sneijder.

If Galatasaray can balance the financials and offer Messi both competitive football and a hero’s welcome, the move could reignite European excitement around his name.

Still, let’s be honest — Messi doesn’t need another challenge to prove himself. But for football romantics, seeing him light up Istanbul under the floodlights would be something special — a beautiful final chapter before the 2026 World Cup.

For now, Özbek’s comments may just be teasing fans… but in football, dreams sometimes do come true. 🌟⚽