Overview
- President Joan Laporta said a Messi playing comeback is “not realistic,” declining to fuel transfer speculation after the Argentine’s visit.
- Laporta confirmed Barcelona is working on a statue for Messi at the Spotify Camp Nou, with the family to be consulted and no timetable set.
- The planned tribute would follow completion of stadium works, with Laporta citing a future capacity of about 105,000 for a major ceremony.
- Messi made an unannounced tour of the revamped stadium and posted that he hopes to return one day after never getting a proper on-field farewell.
- Messi remains contracted to Inter Miami through the 2028 MLS season, reinforcing that any Barcelona reunion is symbolic rather than sporting, while local reports suggest some directors suspect political rivals sought to capitalize on his visit.