Barcelona's Plans to Honor Lionel Messi with Historic Tribute

Barcelona's president, Joan Laporta, has announced plans for a grand tribute to Lionel Messi, aiming to honor the football legend with a statue alongside other club icons. While Laporta emphasizes the importance of timing, waiting for the newly renovated Camp Nou to be fully operational, he remains cautious about speculation regarding Messi's potential return to play. This tribute aims to celebrate Messi's unparalleled impact on the club, ensuring that his legacy is immortalized in the hearts of fans. Discover more about the plans and Laporta's insights in the full article.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 5, 2025, 15:00 IST

Strengthening Bonds

Joan Laporta, the president of Barcelona, has unveiled grand plans to pay tribute to Lionel Messi, which he claims will be the most significant honor in the club's history. However, he remains non-committal about the possibility of Messi returning to play at Camp Nou.

During the Foros de Vanguardia event, Laporta addressed ongoing concerns regarding his relationship with Messi, particularly after the controversial circumstances surrounding the player's exit in 2021. He dismissed any notions of a broken relationship, highlighting the importance of communication.

"People can understand each other through conversation. I don't perceive any issues," Laporta remarked, indicating a desire to move beyond the narrative of conflict that has overshadowed discussions about Messi's departure from the club.

Plans for the Tribute

Laporta shared comprehensive plans to honor Messi's extraordinary legacy at Barcelona. The tribute will feature a statue placed alongside other club legends such as Kubala, Cruyff, and Ronaldinho, ensuring Messi's place among football's elite.

The Barcelona president emphasized Messi's unique significance to the club's history, stating, "Leo has defined an era and is the best player in history and in Barça's history," highlighting the Argentine's unparalleled impact on the organization.

Waiting for the Right Moment

Instead of rushing the tribute, Laporta has stipulated that it will take place only when the newly renovated Spotify Camp Nou is fully operational, accommodating over 100,000 fans. He envisions a moment of collective celebration that befits Messi's accomplishments.

"A tribute with a full Camp Nou, with 105,000 Barça fans expressing their gratitude to Messi for everything he has done for the club, could be a beautiful thing," Laporta explained, emphasizing that the occasion requires a packed stadium to truly honor the legend.

No Talk of a Playing Return

When asked about the possibility of Messi wearing a Barcelona jersey one last time in the new stadium, Laporta responded with caution. He refrained from engaging in such discussions, deeming them unrealistic and unnecessary.

"I'm not going to fuel controversies or speculation about things that aren't realistic. Everyone is entitled to their opinions. Leo will always be in the collective memory of Barcelona fans. Leo has a contract with a football club," the president stated, clearly distinguishing between Messi's legendary status as a former player and his current commitments.