Laporta Confirms Camp Nou Homage for Messi After Surprise Visit, Rules Out Playing Return

Overview

• Joan Laporta said Messi’s stop at the stadium was a spontaneous act of ‘barcelonism’ and that the forward is always welcome at his former home.
• Barcelona is planning a major tribute at the Spotify Camp Nou, with Laporta describing the goal of honoring Messi before a full house of roughly 105,000 fans.
• Laporta rejected talk of a sporting comeback as “not realistic,” reiterating that any recognition will be ceremonial while Messi continues at Inter Miami.
• The Barcelona president described the relationship with Messi as positive, as media highlighted a Sport interview where Messi lamented his 2021 exit and expressed a wish to return to live in the city after retiring.
• Addressing Lamine Yamal, Laporta said the club informed Spain about the player’s pubalgia and medical procedure, emphasizing a recovery plan focused on protecting the youngster.