Legend’s social media post signals willingness for tribute match after strained relations with club leadership
In a heartfelt social media post that will stir the emotions of football fans worldwide, Lionel Messi has openly expressed his desire for a proper farewell at Barcelona’s Camp Nou, a moment he was cruelly denied during his abrupt exit in 2021.
The Argentine icon, who was back in Spain after propelling Inter Miami to victory in the MLS playoffs, visited the stadium under reconstruction on Sunday. The experience prompted a wave of nostalgia, leading him to post photographs on Monday with a caption that laid bare his feelings for his former home.
“Last night, I returned to a place that I miss with all my heart,” Messi wrote. “It’s a place where I was immensely happy, where you made me feel like the happiest person in the world a thousand times over. I hope that one day I can return, and not just to say goodbye as a player, as I never got to do…”
The 38-year-old’s departure to Paris Saint-Germain was a sudden, unceremonious affair, forced by Barcelona’s dire financial situation and compounded by COVID-19 restrictions that limited any potential send-off.
His comments directly align with the long-standing wish of club president Joan Laporta, who has repeatedly proposed a tribute match to honor the club’s greatest-ever player. Just last week, Laporta told reporters, “It would be a great way to open the stadium… with 105,000 packed in and paying tribute to Leo,” while acknowledging the decision ultimately rests with Messi and his camp.
Messi’s relationship with Laporta became strained following his departure, making this public expression of hope a significant step toward a potential reconciliation and a storybook ending. During his 17 legendary years with Barcelona’s first team, Messi scored 672 goals and won 34 trophies, cementing a legacy that the fans are still waiting to celebrate properly.
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