BARCELONA – Barcelona president Joan Laporta has announced plans to erect a statue of Lionel Messi at Camp Nou, honoring the legendary player for his contributions to the club.
Messi, 38, made an unannounced visit to Barça’s stadium on Sunday before joining the Argentina national squad in Spain. He shared photos on social media, expressing hope to “return for the goodbye I never got to say as a player.”
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During a book presentation about La Masia, Barça’s youth academy, Laporta emphasized Messi’s significance, stating that the forward deserves a tribute at the stadium alongside other club icons such as Ladislao Kubala and Johan Cruyff. “He is one of those iconic players who have defined an era for all of us,” Laporta said.
Messi left Barcelona in August 2021 as a free agent due to financial constraints at the club. Over 21 years, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner secured a record 34 titles, becoming Barça’s top scorer and appearance holder.
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Laporta noted that Covid restrictions at the time prevented Messi from having a proper farewell, making the planned statue an opportunity to celebrate his legacy and give him the recognition he deserves.