Lionel Messi Returns To Camp Nou, Hopes To Bid Fans A Proper Farewell
Lionel Messi returned to Barcelona’s renovated Camp Nou on Sunday and expressed his desire to one day properly say goodbye to the club’s fans. Messi left Barcelona in the summer of 2021 after the club was unable to renew his contract due to financial restrictions. His exit was sudden, and he only had a tearful press conference to bid farewell before joining Paris Saint-Germain. Now with Inter Miami, Messi stepped onto Camp Nou again on Sunday evening after leading his team to the next round of the Major League Soccer playoffs. “I hope I can return someday, and not just to say goodbye as a player, like I never got to,” he said. The stadium has been under renovation for nearly three years and is set to reopen soon with limited capacity. Barcelona plans to resume hosting competitive matches at Camp Nou after the international break, with ongoing work expected to expand the venue to around 100,000 seats. Barcelona president Joan Laporta revealed plans to honor Messi with a special tribute once the renovations are complete. “It would be a beautiful way to show gratitude and recognition,” Laporta said during a recent test event. “When we reach 100,000 capacity, we’ll be able to hold the tribute he, the club, and everything we achieved together deserve. It probably won’t happen before the end of 2026, when club elections are scheduled. If I’m still president then, I’d be very happy to lead Messi’s tribute at the stadium.”