No chance! Inter Miami reportedly deny Osimhen chance to play with Messi

Inter Miami have reportedly turned down approaches from three major European clubs, Chelsea, Benfica, and Galatasaray, for a short-term winter loan involving Lionel Messi.

The MLS side is said to have no plans to release their global superstar even if they are eliminated from the MLS playoffs, shutting down what could have been a dream link-up between Messi and Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen in Turkey.

In what would have been one of the most sensational short-term transfers in football history, Turkish giants Galatasaray were reportedly plotting a four-month loan deal to bring Lionel Messi to Istanbul during the MLS off-season.

Having already made headlines with the record €75 million signing of Victor Osimhen from Chelsea, the club hoped to create an attacking partnership that would send shockwaves across Europe and beyond.

According to Turkish outlet mynet, Galatasaray were ready to offer Messi around €10 million for the brief spell, with the goal of keeping him sharp ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Scouts and club officials were said to have been monitoring the situation closely, waiting to see whether Inter Miami would be knocked out of the MLS playoffs by Nashville.

However, their ambitious plan appears to have hit a dead end, as reports from DT Sports confirm that Inter Miami have rejected all offers and are determined to keep Messi in Florida through the off-season.

While the idea of Messi and Osimhen combining forces lit up headlines, sources close to the Argentine’s camp insist there was never any intention to consider short-term moves to Europe or Saudi Arabia.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, who has two years left on his Inter Miami contract running until 2027, is expected to use the winter break to rest and prepare for the club’s 2024 campaign.

Messi has continued to impress in the United States, scoring twice and providing an assist in a recent 4-0 victory over Atlanta United, reaffirming his status as the face of MLS.

For Galatasaray, the rejection marks a missed opportunity to stage an exciting partnership, pairing Osimhen’s explosive power with Messi’s creative genius.