As Liverpool’s season in the doldrums continues into 2026, sensational claims have been made that they could pursue a deal for the greatest player of all-time.
Lionel Messi is potentially on the lookout for a temporary place to play his football ahead of this summer’s World Cup, with his eyes fixed on a return to Europe.
As the MLS is currently in pre-season mode until the end of February, Messi wants to be in tip-top shape to try and defend Argentina’s trophy in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
How would you react if Liverpool actually sign Lionel Messi 🫨
Could this really happen?
Moving back to a more competitive league would sharpen his senses – if that ever needed doing at all – and, remarkably, Spanish outlet SPORT have insisted that Liverpool are one of those exploring a ‘complex’ loan deal.
In the past, any such move could be almost immediately dismissed. It is simply not the way the Liverpool owners operate. However, after they made some very un-Liverpool moves in the transfer window in 2026, perhaps they really could be looking into what would be one of the most stunning deals in Premier League history? Rousing The Kop is here to assess the chances.
Lionel Messi move would be incredible fun for Liverpool
It is not unheard of for top MLS players to come back to Europe while the American season takes its break. David Beckham famously joined AC Milan in the winter of 2009, for example.
For Messi, a temporary move would make sense, even if it wouldn’t quite add up for his team, Inter Miami.
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If the 38-year-old really is looking for a new club, then why shouldn’t Liverpool be in the mix? They badly need more creativity in the team, and there is quite literally nobody in football history who can create like Messi.
Yes, the deal would likely be extortionately expensive, but on a six-month basis, Liverpool could surely handle that side of things too.
In an age where the Reds are run by data and statistics, it has often meant them shunning higher-profile ageing starts. While that has worked out well for them, it has also taken a little bit of magic away.
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Football is supposed to be fun, and Liverpool are anything but that right now. After Diogo Jota’s tragic death, Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes appeared to apply a ‘you only live once’ approach to transfers, smashing the British record to sign Alexander Isak in what was a potentially unnecessary deal.
Maybe they will use that same logic here to say ‘why not?!’ and go in for a signing who would instantly make everything more exciting.
Difficult to see Messi move coming to fruition
Of course, this is not only about Liverpool being interested in giving Messi a temporary home, the player himself has to be keen on the idea as well.
During his long and distinguished career so far, the Argentine has never really shown any interest in playing in England. If he does return to Europe, a comeback at Barcelona feels like the most likely scenario.
| Lionel Messi in MLS | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 2023 | 14 | 11 | 5 |
| 2024 | 25 | 23 | 13 |
| 2025 | 49 | 43 | 25 |
Having said that, Barca are in a poor financial state, and it is impossible to see Messi joining another Spanish club. Italian clubs are also unlikely to be able to afford such a move, while a return to France or a German escapade doesn’t seem probable either. As a result, it may be the Premier League or bust for Messi.
Given those options, the World Cup winner may simply choose to wait it out in Miami until the season begins.
Ultimately, this feels like it will never happen. Liverpool are just not the club who do these kinds of deals and it would need a change of heart from Messi himself. Nevertheless, strange things have been happening at Anfield this season, so you just never know what’s brewing behind the scenes.
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