It has been four years since Lionel Messi, tearfully, said goodbye to Barcelona in a press conference before continuing his professional career with Paris Saint-Germain. Much has changed since then, and now club president Joan Laporta has spoken about the possibility of a tribute to the Argentine forward.
Just a few weeks after Messi’s camp denied having had contact with Barcelona regarding a potential tribute, Laporta gave an interview to Mundo Deportivo in which he confirmed that the club does, in fact, plan to honor him — and at a very special moment.
“From the very beginning, during the whole process of Leo’s exit from Barça, we’ve always said the same: the most beautiful thing would be to inaugurate the new Spotify Camp Nou with a tribute to Leo Messi,” the president said. “I hope it happens. It would be very special.”
Laporta also confirmed that conversations around the tribute have already begun. “I’m sure the family has heard about it — talks have already taken place, and it’s something we’d be delighted to do,” he said. However, he made it clear that Messi’s own wishes and availability will play a key role: “It’s also something that depends on Leo and the family.”
FC Barcelona President Joan Laporta faces the media during the unveiled of Hansi Flick as new FC Barcelona Coach at Spotify Camp Nou on July 25, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain.
Barcelona’s stadium renovation
Barcelona have undertaken a major renovation of their stadium, similar to what Real Madrid did with the Santiago Bernabeu in recent seasons. The work began after the end of the 2022–23 La Liga season and has now entered its final stages after more than two years of development.
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The last match Los Blaugranas played at Camp Nou was in May 2023. For the past two seasons, the team has played its home games at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Montjuic, with the aim of returning to their historic home for the early stages of the 2025–26 season.
Initially, Laporta had announced that the new stadium would open on August 10 during the annual Trofeu Joan Gamper. However, that plan had to be scrapped because construction won’t be completed in time.
Still, Barcelona remain intent on holding a major event to mark the reopening of Camp Nou — and the possibility of having Lionel Messi there for a tribute would make it even more meaningful for the club.
Messi’s numbers with Barcelona
Messi made his debut for Barcelona on October 16, 2004, in a match against Espanyol at just 17 years old. He quickly became a key figure for the team and never left the starting lineup again. With Pep Guardiola’s arrival and Ronaldinho’s departure in the summer of 2008, Messi inherited the No. 10 jersey and became the focal point of Barcelona’s attacking system — a role he maintained until his departure in 2021.
Over his 17 seasons with the Catalan side, Messi broke nearly every possible club record. He is Barcelona’s all-time leader in appearances (778), goals (672), assists (269), and trophies (34), including 4 UEFA Champions League titles and 10 La Liga championships.
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