Joan Laporta referred to the unexpected visit of the Argentine captain to the culé stadium and spoke about the possibility of paying him a great tribute when the construction work is completed
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The figure of Lionel Messi once again took center stage on the international scene, although this time not because of his performance on the field. During his stay in Spain, before joining the Argentina National Team for the friendly match against Angola, the Albiceleste captain surprised everyone with an unexpected visit to Camp Nou on Sunday night, which rekindled nostalgia among Barcelona fans.
The impact was immediate. This Wednesday, the president of the Catalan club, Joan Laporta, spoke with the program El matí from Catalunya Ràdio, where he addressed both the presence of the Rosario native at the stadium and his recent statements about his departure from the institution.
First, the executive admitted that he was unaware of the player's plans: "I didn't know he would come, but Camp Nou is his home. When they explained to me how it happened, I think it was a spontaneous and pleasant impulse, he had just finished dinner and felt like coming with some friends. It was an act of Barcelona spirit".
Messi quiere volver algún día al Barcelona no solo para despedirse como jugador
"It's only right that Leo receives the most beautiful tribute in the world. When it's finished, we'll have a capacity of 105,000 fans, so we'd like that. We're working on the tribute and to ensure that the best football in the world can be seen, and as part of the tribute, we'd like to offer Leo the tribute he deserves", he added.
Later, the executive reiterated his intention for the official tribute to the Argentine star to take place once the new Camp Nou renovations are completed. "We're working so that matches can be played here and, in this context, I'd like a tribute to be held for the best player in history. I know that he'd like it as well", he acknowledged.
However, Laporta also referred to the most sensitive chapter in the relationship between the club and Messi: his departure in 2021. He recalled the financial difficulties that prevented his contract renewal and defended the decisions made at that time. "Given how everything happened, I don't regret anything: Barça is above everyone. It didn't happen the way we all wanted, but at that moment it couldn't be done. If the tribute can make amends, we'd be happy", he explained.
Laporta no se arrepiente de la salida de Messi
Finally, when asked about the possibility of seeing the Argentine wearing the blue and garnet jersey again, the president was categorical: "It's not realistic to talk about Leo Messi's return as a player", he stated.
This way, the club's top executive left the door open to a symbolic reunion between the idol and the institution, while preparations are underway for the tribute that will mark the definitive end of a historic era for world football.
