Overview
- Barcelona president Joan Laporta said the club is working on a statue of Messi at the renovated Spotify Camp Nou and on a major tribute once construction is complete.
- Laporta reiterated that a playing comeback is not realistic given Messi’s freshly extended Inter Miami deal through the 2028 MLS season.
- Messi made an unannounced stop at Camp Nou and posted that he hopes to return one day, expressing a desire that goes beyond a simple farewell.
- Local reports say coach Hansi Flick opposes any short-term loan and some directors suspect political rivals influenced the visit, with neither claim officially corroborated.
- In Spain with Argentina, Messi drew an official crowd of 20,085 to an open training session in Elche, reflecting his ongoing pull with supporters.