Joan Laporta, the president of FC Barcelona, has addressed the recent buzz surrounding Lionel Messi's unexpected visit to Camp Nou, which ignited speculation about a potential return of the Argentinian legend to the Catalan club. Messi, currently playing for Inter Miami, made a surprise appearance at the stadium on Sunday night alongside teammate Rodrigo de Paul, stirring emotions among fans who fondly remember his illustrious career with Barcelona.
Laporta confirmed that the club was unaware of Messi's planned visit. In an interview with Catalunya Radio, Laporta stated, "I was glad to see Messi back at the Camp Nou, but no, we didn't know he was coming". He emphasized the club's affection for Messi, acknowledging Camp Nou as his home and expressing a desire to give him "the best farewell in history".
However, Laporta tempered expectations regarding Messi's return to Barcelona as a player, deeming such a scenario "unrealistic". He explained that fueling unrealistic speculation would be inappropriate out of respect for Messi, the club, and its members. The president, who was at the helm when Barcelona was compelled to release Messi in 2021 due to financial constraints, stood by the difficult decision, stating, "Despite how everything happened with Leo Messi's departure, I have no regrets. Barça is above anyone else". He acknowledged the painful circumstances that led to Messi's exit, emphasizing that the club's financial situation and La Liga regulations made it impossible to retain him.
Despite dismissing the possibility of Messi's return to the field for Barcelona, Laporta expressed enthusiasm for honoring Messi with a grand tribute at the Camp Nou once its renovations are complete. "It would be right that Leo has the most beautiful tribute in the world," Laporta stated, envisioning a celebration of Messi's career in front of 105,000 fans. He hopes that this tribute can compensate for the unceremonious nature of Messi's departure in 2021.
Messi's departure from Barcelona marked the end of an era, as he had spent over 20 years at the club, including 17 seasons with the first team. During his time with Barcelona, Messi established himself as the club's all-time leading scorer with 672 goals in 778 appearances, securing 34 trophies, including 10 La Liga titles and four Champions League crowns. After leaving Barcelona, Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 and subsequently signed with Inter Miami in 2023, extending his contract until 2028.
Currently in Spain with the Argentinian national team for a friendly match against Angola, Messi's visit to Camp Nou served as a poignant reminder of his enduring connection with the club and its supporters. While a competitive return may not be feasible, the prospect of a future tribute ensures that Messi's legacy will forever be celebrated at Barcelona.
