Barcelona President Joan Laporta has recently addressed the widespread speculation surrounding Lionel Messi’s potential return to the club as a player, definitively stating that such a scenario is not currently feasible. This clarification follows Messi’s surprising and unannounced visit to the ongoing renovation works at Camp Nou, Barcelona’s iconic home stadium.
The visit by the 38-year-old football superstar on November 9th unfolded quietly, without prior public announcement, yet it quickly captured the attention of the global football community. His presence at his former club’s grounds naturally ignited a fresh wave of hope and discussion among fans about a potential reunion on the pitch.
Adding to the fervor, Messi himself later expressed a profound desire to return to Barcelona as a player someday. In a social media post accompanying images from his visit, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner conveyed his enduring affection for the club, stating, “I hope that one day I can return here again. And not just to say goodbye as a player, which I never had the chance to do.” This heartfelt message only amplified calls from supporters for the club to facilitate his comeback.
However, club president Laporta moved to temper these expectations during an interview with Catalunya Radio on November 12th. He acknowledged the deep respect he holds for Messi and the club’s staff but emphasized the practicalities of the current situation. “With all my respect for Messi, and also for the club’s staff and the entire defense team, now is not the right time for me to conclude anything uncertain. And this is not the time to do so either,” Laporta stated, making it clear that a playing return for the Argentine maestro is not a realistic prospect at this juncture.
Despite ruling out a playing comeback, Laporta assured that Messi is always welcome to visit Camp Nou. Furthermore, the president shared his intention to extend an official invitation to Messi for a grand farewell ceremony. This event, planned for when the stadium renovations are complete, would allow Messi to bid a proper goodbye to the 105,000 fans at Camp Nou, an opportunity he never formally received when he departed.
Lionel Messi’s illustrious history with Barcelona is unparalleled. He joined the club as a 13-year-old youth player and ascended to become arguably the greatest player in its history. During his tenure, Messi set an astonishing club record of 672 goals in 778 appearances. He departed the Catalan giants in 2021 after the club faced financial difficulties that made it impossible to renew his contract. The reigning FIFA World Cup 2022 champion currently plies his trade with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States. His remarkable achievements with Barcelona include winning 10 La Liga titles, 4 UEFA Champions League trophies, and 3 FIFA Club World Cups, solidifying his status as an undisputed club legend.
