“100 goals and 100 trophies will not cancel out what a piece s*** you are.” The Inter fans put out this banner for someone who was once their hero. Their captain. He went from being their “little Argentine” to public enemy number 1.

Icardi’s departure from Inter can be linked with a number of factors. Whether it was his relationship with the infamous Wanda Nara, who was the ex wife of his former teammate Maxi Lopez. It could be the time he called out the ultra fans in his book when he went as far as to say, “Record my message and let them hear it. I will bring 100 criminals from Argentina who will kill them on the spot."

Wanda Nara also publicly criticised manager Luciano Spalletti and accused him of mismanaging her husband, “the star man of Inter”. He lost his captaincy in the 2018/19 season and was eventually loaned to PSG in the next season.

The Argentine striker started really well at PSG and it was enough for them to make his move permanent for €60m. He was becoming one of the most important players in the team and it seemed like his days of controversy were behind him. Except that they weren’t. Icardi’s public spats with Wanda made the headlines again and again and it was clear that the player was slowly losing focus on his football. His form was dropping. The Argentine’s talent was always there for all to see.

Unfortunately, his off the pitch problems have often come to overshadow his abilities. Eventually PSG sold him to Turkish Giants Galatasaray. It seemed like Icardi’s best days were behind him.

Since arriving in Turkey, Icardi has been a revelation for his club. He was crucial in winning the league title for Galatasaray last season, their first in 4 years. He scored 23 goals and provided 8 assists in only 26 games last season. The Turkish giants have become one of Europe’s best clubs in the last 2 years, with many top footballers coming to join the club and Icardi has been a key part of that. He just seems to have connected with the club and the culture. Galatasaray have one of the most passionate fan bases in Europe and as of right now, they’re absolutely in love with their talisman.

Icardi has started off the 2023/24 season strongly as well. He has put in key performances, both in the league and the Champions League. He scored the winner against Manchester United in the group stage. Galatasaray finished third in a group consisting of FC Bayern, Manchester United and FC Copenhagen, which is an incredible achievement on its own.

They are once again locked in a title race for the Turkish Süper Lig and Icardi is expected to have a huge role in the second half of the campaign. Just like that, one of the best number 9s of his generation seems to be up and running again.

At just 30 years of age, Icardi may still have another shot at establishing himself at one of European Football’s giants. There has reportedly been interest in him from many top clubs in the premier league and even Real Madrid. What does the future hold for Icardi? We can never say for sure. We can however say that it’s expected to be full of goals and headlines, for better or worse.