FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta confirmed during a book launch event in Barcelona that the club is actively developing plans to erect a statue honoring Lionel Messi outside the newly renovated Spotify Camp Nou stadium.
This announcement marks a significant step toward formally recognizing Messi’s unparalleled legacy with the club, especially as the iconic venue prepares to reopen partially after nearly two years of upgrades.
Laporta emphasized the emotional weight of the tribute, stating, “All us culés would like to have a statue of Leo Messi at the Spotify Camp Nou. We’re working on it and, if the family wants, when we have the design we’ll talk with them.”
He further noted that the club aims to consult Messi’s family on the design to ensure it aligns with their vision, underscoring Barcelona’s respect for the Argentine icon.
The revelation comes just days after Messi’s surprise visit to the under-renovation Camp Nou on November 10, 2025—his first since departing the club in 2021.
Accompanied by Argentina teammate Rodrigo De Paul, the 38-year-old Inter Miami forward shared emotional photos from the pitch on Instagram, which garnered over 29 million likes.
In a subsequent interview with Spanish outlet SPORT, Messi expressed nostalgia, saying, “I really want to go back there, we miss Barcelona a lot,” while reflecting on his painful exit amid the club’s financial woes.
The stadium, closed since May 2023 for a €1.5 billion overhaul to increase capacity to 105,000 seats and add modern amenities, will host an open training session on November 14, 2025, attended by over 20,000 fans, with the men’s team set to return for matches after the international break.
Laporta’s comments also tie into broader discussions about Messi’s future with Barcelona. While a playing return is deemed “unrealistic” due to his contract extension with Inter Miami through 2026, the president left the door open for post-retirement involvement, affirming, “Messi will always be linked to Barca, he knows the doors are open to him.” A separate tribute ceremony is also in the works, timed appropriately to celebrate his contributions.
Lionel Messi, who joined Barcelona’s La Masia academy at age 13 from Newell’s Old Boys in Argentina, spent 21 years with the senior team, becoming its greatest-ever player.
His staggering record includes 672 goals in 778 appearances (club record for both), 303 assists, contributing to 35 major trophies, 10 La Liga titles, 7 Copa del Rey wins, 4 UEFA Champions League crowns, and 3 FIFA Club World Cups.
Messi’s departure in August 2021—without a proper farewell match due to Barcelona’s salary cap crisis—left a bitter taste, straining relations with Laporta’s administration. However, recent gestures, including this statue initiative, signal reconciliation.
The monument will join existing tributes to club legends like Johan Cruyff and László Kubala outside the stadium, positioning Messi among Barcelona’s “reference players who have marked us all.”
As the Camp Nou era evolves, this statue promises to stand as an eternal beacon of Messi’s magic, ensuring future generations witness the GOAT’s indelible mark on the beautiful game.