Lionel Messi visiting the renovated Camp Nou during Barcelona tribute preparations
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has confirmed that the club is working on erecting a statue of Lionel Messi outside the newly renovated Camp Nou — a long-awaited tribute to the greatest player in the club’s history.
Messi, now 38, made an emotional return to Barcelona last weekend, touring the revamped stadium for the first time since his departure in 2021. In a heartfelt Instagram post, the Argentine expressed his hope of returning “one day, and not just to say goodbye as a player,” a message that sent Culers worldwide into a frenzy.
Speaking at a book presentation in Barcelona, Laporta revealed that the board has already discussed making Messi’s tribute permanent.
“Messi will always be linked to Barca, he knows that the doors are open for him. We have absolute respect for him, he deserves the best tribute,” Laporta said.
“He should have a statue at Spotify Camp Nou, like Cruyff and Kubala. He is one of those iconic players who have left their mark on us.”
Laporta added that the project is underway but requires agreement from Messi’s family — something he believes all Barcelona fans would support wholeheartedly.
Despite Messi’s emotional return, Laporta shut down any speculation about the legend coming back as a player. With Messi tied to Inter Miami after signing a contract extension, Laporta called any return “unrealistic.”
But a statue? That’s very realistic — and already in motion.
Messi’s legacy at Barcelona remains unmatched:
672 goals in 778 games
10 LaLiga titles
4 Champions League trophies
3 Club World Cups
21 years of magic that shaped modern football
The legend’s footprint at Barcelona stretches far beyond numbers — it defines an era.
After nearly 900 days of renovation, the Camp Nou reopened with an open training session attended by 20,000+ fans. Laporta hinted that when the stadium project is fully complete, Barcelona plans to host “the most beautiful tribute in the world” for Messi.
For a player who changed football history, nothing less would suffice.
Messi’s tribute is more than a sentimental act — it’s a major talking point in the sports market:
renewed fan engagement
rising museum and stadium tour demands
global attention on Barcelona’s brand resurgence
stronger digital traffic for sports blogs covering the story
This is exactly the kind of moment that the best sport blog platforms capitalize on — and Sports Market International is right at the center bringing fans premium insights.
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