Will Barcelona give Lionel Messi a tribute at Camp Nou? Joan Laporta makes claim as Catalan giants close in on return to iconic stadium

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has confirmed that the club still intends to pay tribute to Lionel Messi but noted that the event will not be held before the end of 2026 due to the club’s presidential elections.

It’s been over four years since Messi’s time at Barcelona came to an abrupt end. Since the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner left as a free agent in 2021, he has yet to get the deserved tribute from the club for his years of meritorious service.

Barcelona returned to the Camp Nou on Friday, November 7, in an open training session attended by more than 21,000 fans for the first time in over two years. Speaking to the media, Laporta revealed that he would be delighted to lead Messi’s tribute at the renovated Spotify Camp Nou.

“Of course I’d love that. It would be a beautiful way to show gratitude and recognition. When we reach 100,000 capacity, we’ll be able to hold the tribute he, the club, and everything we achieved together deserve,” Laporta said. “But it probably won’t happen before the end of 2026, since that’s when club elections will take place. I don’t know if I’ll still be president then, but if I am, I’d be very happy to lead Messi’s tribute at the stadium.”

Laporta had previously spoken about Barcelona’s plan to give Messi a fitting tribute in 2023, confirming that he agreed with the Argentine icon’s family.

Lionel Messi came through the ranks at Barcelona’s academy and left as the club’s most decorated player, winning every available trophy. In 778 appearances across all competitions, Messi scored 672 goals and provided 303 assists for the Catalan club.

When Joan Laporta said Lionel Messi ‘wanted to return’ to Barcelona

After he was forced to leave Barca against his own wish, Lionel Messi joined Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain in August 2021. However, his time at the French capital didn’t really go as planned, as he left on acrimonious terms in 2023.

Before Messi joined Inter Miami, where he currently plies his trade, Laporta claimed Messi’s father, Jorge Messi, told him that the player wanted to return to Barca.

"Messi wanted to return to Barca," Laporta said via ESPN. "He had a very hard spell in Paris. His father [Jorge] told me that he didn't want to have this pressure. The Catalans respect him. May he do very well in Miami. Barca will always be his home."

During his 21 years at Barca, Lionel Messi won four Champions Leagues, 11 LaLiga titles, seven Ballon d’Or awards, and domestic trophies.

Edited by Ezekiel Olamide