In a dramatic twist that has disappointed football fans worldwide, Inter Miami has officially blocked a potential dream partnership between Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen and Argentine legend Lionel Messi at Turkish club Galatasaray.
Galatasaray's Ambitious Transfer Plan
The reigning Super Lig champions had orchestrated an ambitious plan to create one of football's most explosive attacking duos. Fresh from their record €75 million signing of Victor Osimhen from Napoli, Galatasaray pursued a sensational four-month loan deal for Inter Miami's superstar Lionel Messi.
According to reports from Turkish outlet Herbeler, the Turkish giants had prepared a €10 million offer to secure Messi's services temporarily. The strategy was designed to keep the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner match-fit ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers while pairing him with Osimhen, who currently leads the UEFA Champions League scoring charts.
Inter Miami's Firm Rejection
Despite the exciting prospects, Inter Miami management took a firm stance against the proposal. Sources from Tribuna confirm that the MLS club vehemently rejected all approaches from European clubs including Galatasaray, Chelsea, and Benfica.
The American club has made it clear that Messi, who remains under contract until 2027, will not be joining any European or Saudi Arabian club during the winter break. Instead, the Argentine superstar will use the off-season to rest and prepare for the 2026 MLS campaign.
Club officials had been monitoring the situation closely, particularly in case Inter Miami faced early elimination from the MLS playoffs by Nashville. However, their consistent position ensured that no short-term move would materialize.
Missed Opportunity and Current Form
For Victor Osimhen, this represents a significant missed opportunity to play alongside arguably the greatest footballer of all time. The potential partnership between the Nigerian goal machine and the legendary playmaker had generated tremendous excitement among Galatasaray supporters since rumors first surfaced.
Despite this setback, Osimhen continues to demonstrate exceptional form for his new club. The Super Eagles striker recently made headlines by scoring a hat-trick within 20 minutes in Galatasaray's Champions League victory over AFC Ajax, helping the Turkish side win their third consecutive match in the competition.
Meanwhile, Messi continues to shine in the United States, recently scoring twice and providing an assist in Inter Miami's 4-0 victory over Atlanta United. Sources close to the player's camp insist there was never serious consideration given to moving to Europe or Saudi Arabia during the off-season.
While the dream of seeing Osimhen and Messi combine on the pitch remains unrealized for now, both players continue to excel in their respective leagues, leaving fans to wonder what might have been had Inter Miami approved the short-term transfer.
