Liverpool 'considers Lionel Messi transfer' after icon spoke about English move

Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi is expected to quit international soccer after playing for Argentina at this year's World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico

Lionel Messi has been tipped to make a sensational move to Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

Reports in Spain are linking Lionel Messi with a sensational move to Liverpool, but it's highly unlikely the transfer will actually happen.

Messi, 38, is arguably the greatest soccer player the game has ever seen. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, who plays alongside Liverpool star Alexis Mac Allister for Argentina, clinched four Champions Leagues and 10 La Liga titles during his glittering career with Barcelona, where he became the club's all-time leading scorer with 672 goals.

After a two-year spell with Paris Saint-Germain, where he picked up another two league titles, Messi transferred to the United States to play for Inter Miami, the team co-owned by David Beckham. He won a 13th league championship in 2025 by clinching the MLS Cup.

Messi seems determined to pick up more silverware with Miami after signing a contract extension through until the 2028 MLS season. Yet there's speculation that he could complete a loan transfer to Europe in January ahead of this year's World Cup.

According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, Messi is keen on completing a switch to Europe to train and compete at a higher level before the new MLS season begins next month. This year's World Cup is likely to be his last dance for Argentina, having previously won two Copa America titles and the 2022 World Cup.

And Fichajes claims Liverpool is thinking about making an audacious loan swoop. The Reds are struggling to gain momentum in the Premier League, as they sit fourth in the standings and 14 points behind Arsenal in first. The two teams meet on Thursday.

Messi last played at Anfield in 2019(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool has lost Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike to injury, while Mohamed Salah is currently representing Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations. Arne Slot could do with some reinforcements in attack, and Messi is still playing at a high level in the United States.

Messi is undoubtedly the best player in the MLS, having scored 29 goals and provided 16 assists in 28 games during the 2025 season.

Yet it's hard to imagine the 38-year-old joining Liverpool at this stage of his career. The intensity of the Premier League and its demanding schedule would be a lot for the veteran to handle, and it's unlikely he would offer much defensive support for Slot.

Messi has also dismissed this idea of joining an English club several times throughout his career. "I will never play in the Premier League," he said in 2010, as quoted by The Mirror.

Messi also complained about the brutal winter conditions in England while speaking to Abitare in 2024.

"When I had to play in England in winter time, the truth is that I suffered a lot," he said. "I'm telling you, my feet feel hard, they fall asleep, and I suffered a lot."

If he joins Liverpool on loan in January, he'll be exposed to the English winter. At the time of writing, it is four degrees Celsius in Liverpool, which is 39.2 Fahrenheit.

Liverpool.com says: While the idea of Messi joining Liverpool is exciting, it's not going to happen. Reds fans should look forward to Mohamed Salah's return from the AFCON instead!