Laporta Gets Real About Messi's Barça Return: No Fantasies, Just Facts
4 December 2025
Key Points
Barcelona president Joan Laporta refused to engage in the debate about a possible Messi return before retirement.
Rumors swirled about a move from Inter Miami back to his old club, who left in 2021 for Paris Saint-Germain.
In statements highlighted by Mundo Deportivo, Laporta said People understand each other by talking, and he sees no problem; the club has even contemplated giving Messi the best tribute ever, including a statue beside history-makers like Kubala, Cruyff and Ronaldinho.
He added Lionel Messi shaped an era and is the best player in Barça's history.
On a potential final appearance at Camp Nou, Laporta replied I won't spark more speculation about unreal things.
He added Everyone has the right to an opinion, and Messi will always stay in Barça fans' memory, but he is under contract with another club.
He concluded The tribute should come at a time when we can thank him for all he gave the club... a ceremony filling Camp Nou with 105,000 Barça supporters, who would thank Messi for all he achieved and contributed; it would be a wonderful moment.
Punchline If Messi ever returns the only offside will be the calendar.
Punchline 2 And when the statue arrives it’ll probably have laser eyes to find the back of the net.
