Barcelona president 'dreams' of Messi returning to Camp Nou

Lionel Messi made a surprising visit to Camp Nou after four years, with President Joan Laporta hoping to invite the Argentine icon to the opening ceremony of the renovated stadium.

Lionel Messi made a surprise appearance at Spotify Camp Nou. This marked the first time the Argentine superstar returned to his “old home” since leaving Barcelona in 2021. Neither the media nor the club’s management was aware of this visit in advance.

According to sources in Spain, Messi quietly came to Camp Nou to witness firsthand the renovation process of the legendary stadium, which is now nearing completion. He walked on the empty pitch, silently observing the stands that have witnessed hundreds of goals and glorious moments throughout his career. Interestingly, Messi’s last match at this stadium was also against Celta Vigo in 2021, and he returned exactly on the day Barcelona defeated the same opponent after four years.

Messi’s appearance deeply moved President Joan Laporta. According to the Mundo Deportivo, the head of Barcelona wishes for Messi to attend the inauguration ceremony of the new Camp Nou stadium, an event expected to take place at the end of this month or early next month. This is considered Laporta’s “great dream,” as he has always expressed a desire to mend the previously strained relationship with the number 10 legend.

Currently, Barcelona has been temporarily authorized to admit 23,000 spectators, but the management has decided to postpone the opening ceremony until the stadium can accommodate 45,000 fans in the next phase of the project. Renovation work is progressing rapidly and impressively, and the match after the international break against Athletic Club is likely to be the debut of the new Camp Nou version.

However, inviting Messi back is not a simple matter. Although Laporta has publicly shown respect and a desire to honor the Argentine superstar many times, there remain unresolved issues from their split in 2021, when Messi was forced to leave the club due to financial problems and La Liga’s salary regulations.

Nevertheless, Barcelona is reportedly making every effort to invite Messi to participate in this important day, even planning a special tribute ceremony for him.

If everything goes smoothly, the inauguration of Camp Nou will not only mark a milestone in the iconic stadium’s renovation project but could also become a touching reunion moment between Messi and the club that made his name.

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