Galatasaray has dominated Turkish football in recent seasons, winning three consecutive titles and setting a record 102 points in the 2023-2024 season. Ozbek now believes he can convince Messi to leave Inter Miami to join the Turkish capital.
A resounding transfer for MLS star Messi in the works?
Galatasaray has proven its ability to recruit renowned players in recent seasons, which has strengthened its dominance over Turkish football. Striker Mauro Icardi joined the club on loan before transferring there permanently, notably becoming the championship’s top scorer during the 2023-2024 season. The club also completed a record £65 million ($85.5 million) transfer for Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen earlier this year. Other major signings include the free arrivals of Wilfried Zaha and Belgian playmaker Dries Mertens, as well as other key players like Lucas Torreira.
But recruiting Messi would be a colossal challenge. The genius has transformed Inter Miami since his arrival in 2023, leading the club to their first trophy, the League Cup. He was also instrumental in their winning the Supporters’ Shield in 2024 and setting the regular season points record. Messi’s talent sublimated the entire team and considerably strengthened the international notoriety of MLS. He continues to string together decisive performances, as we saw during the recent MLS Cup playoffs.
“We can easily ask the question of Messi. »
But Messi’s exceptional status in MLS is not a hindrance for Galatasaray president Ozbek, questioned by Turkish journalists about the rumors linking his club to the magician. “
Did you say Messi? Galatasaray’s greatest success lies in its transfers,” Ozbek said, as quoted by Fanatik. We didn’t make many transfers, but we made the ones that were necessary and we kept the team. We kept the backbone of the team which was champion three years in a row, and in particular the entire team. I believe we have built a successful team thanks to transfers. We have set the bar very high. We made the most expensive transfer in the history of Turkish football. Galatasaray’s financial situation is commensurate with these transfers.
He added: “We have achieved an exceptional level of success, which fully justifies Messi’s question. At the same time, we have maintained a healthy financial situation and we are not taking any action that could jeopardize it. All our work must remain within our means. That’s why we have built a good team and, hopefully, we have European ambitions. We will do everything we can to achieve these objectives. »
