Barcelona president Joan Laporta announces plan to build statue for Lionel Messi at new Camp Nou

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has revealed the club's plan to immortalize Lionel Messi at the new Camp Nou with a statue. The Spanish giants are preparing for a return to their iconic home, which has been undergoing a renovation since 2023.

Club icon Lionel Messi set tongues wagging after he was photographed inside the stadium at night earlier this week, making a brief stop in the city. Laporta and the other board members were unaware of the planned visit, but he has revealed that plans are in place to put up a statue of the Argentinean.

“Leo Messi deserves to have a statue at the new stadium. We will prepare a design, talk to the family and if they agree we can proceed for that", he said (via @FabrizioRomano on X).

Barcelona were Lionel Messi's first club in Europe, signing him from Argentine outfit Newell's Old Boys as a 13-year-old. He went on to become the greatest player in the club's history, scoring 672 goals and providing 303 assists in 778 appearances for the Spanish giants.

Messi was forced to leave his club in 2021 after they fell into financial trouble and were unable to afford his salary, and he moved to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). He sought a return to the Nou Camp when he decided to leave the French giants two years later, but the club once again failed to work out the finances needed. The visit to the club's iconic home stadium was his first since he left La Blaugrana, and he was accompanied by Rodrigo De Paul.

Lionel Messi honoured by Barcelona's rivals in open training session

Barcelona and Argentina legend Lionel Messi was honoured by LaLiga outfit Elche as he took part in an open training session at their stadium. The 38-year-old and his fellow Argentine stars were watched by over 20,000 fans at Elche's Estadio Martinez Valero on Thursday.

Messi and co. are preparing for their lone international friendly of the month, which will see them face Angola in Luanda on Friday. The Inter Miami star received an Elche jersey from the Spanish club with his name and number on it, a mark of their respect for his achievements throughout his incredible career.

Elche did not mind that Messi scored seven goals and provided four assists in only five appearances against them in his time as a Barcelona player. His every pass, touch, and shot was cheered by the club's fans, who thoroughly enjoyed his presence at their stadium.

Edited by Sulayman Salahudeen