Overview
- Club president Joan Laporta reiterated that a Messi return on the pitch is not realistic, citing his current Inter Miami deal and Barcelona’s focus on a long-term project.
- Lionel Messi, honored by SPORT as Barcelona’s most beloved player, said he will return to the Camp Nou as a supporter and indicated he expects to remain with Inter Miami for the next few years.
- Institutional vice-president Elena Fort publicly rejected renaming the Spotify Camp Nou for Messi, while Laporta has committed to a statue in his honor.
- Messi’s unannounced visit to the renovated Camp Nou renewed public attention on his legacy and underscored that no sporting negotiations or transfer talks are underway.
- Presidential hopeful Víctor Font vowed to contact Messi if elected and criticized Laporta’s handling of the icon, as media floated unconfirmed projections of €200m-plus in revenue should a playing return ever occur.