Messi Tribute at Camp Nou: Laporta Unveils the Date Amid Renovations
19 October 2025
Messi Tribute Timing
Barcelona president Joan Laporta revealed the plan to honor Argentine legend Lionel Messi at the opening of the renovated Camp Nou, which remains under construction.
Messi left Barça in the summer of 2021 after his contract expired and a renewal could not be agreed amid financial troubles facing the club.
Many believed Laporta broke his pledge by not renewing Messi, allowing the star to depart on a free transfer to Paris Saint-Germain and later move to Inter Miami.
Renovation, Costs and Return
Laporta spoke at the club’s general meeting about reviving the project and the forthcoming tribute.
He told Sport that Camp Nou is the fans’ collective dream and the heritage Barça aims to pass on to future generations.
He also said the club is pursuing permits from the city council to return to the stadium, a return expected to generate about 1.075 billion euros in revenue.
On the Messi tribute, Laporta said that Messi will be honored when the club returns to Camp Nou, with the ceremony tentatively planned for late 2026 and the club very excited about it.
A Stadium Rich in History
According to Laporta, Messi’s relationship with Barça had been strained after his departure but could be celebrated with a fitting tribute once the rebuild is complete.
He added that he loves Barça, that the presidency is about stepping in during tough times, and that the club certainly intends to host a grand ceremony for Messi.
The final capacity of Camp Nou is expected to reach 105,000, with the refurbishment costing around 1.5 billion euros.
Camp Nou is one of the world’s most iconic stadiums, opened in 1957 and hosting World Cup and Olympic events alongside Barça’s many legends, including the era of Pep Guardiola and the sextuple in 2009.
Over the years, capacity fluctuated for safety, and Camp Nou has remained a sacred space for Catalan fans, a venue where history and identity merge on the pitch.
The ongoing project aims to turn Camp Nou into a modern architectural gem with more seats and upgraded facilities, aligning with contemporary football while keeping the spirit of its storied past intact.
Punchline 1: If Camp Nou ever runs out of seats, Messi will simply dribble through the crowd and autograph a corner flag—problem solved. Punchline 2: And if the renovation drags on, the bill grows faster than Messi’s highlight reel, which, admittedly, is saying something for a magician with the ball.
