Barça’s Comeback! Laporta, Yamal, and a Messi Moment That Could Rewrite Camp Nou’s Script
7 November 2025
Barcelona's Renaissance: Laporta's Vision and a Messi Tribute on the Horizon
Joan Laporta, the president of Barcelona, returned to Camp Nou with palpable joy, taking part in a training session on Friday and praising the young talent Lamine Yamal.
Speaking to journalists gathered for the session, which drew around 22,000 spectators, Laporta said, "The feeling is good; I haven't heard of any problems." He added that they would assess what happened and hoped to host a match here if Phase 1B licensing allows 45,000 fans, with this license expected in the near future.
Asked whether Barça would return to Camp Nou on November 22, he replied, "If we obtain the 1B license next week, we'll be able to do it. We’ll move as quickly as possible; our approach is to keep pressing."
He also stated that he was not worried about the team’s playing style but about daily improvement, trusting the players and coach Hans Flick. Barça sits second in La Liga and aims to close the gap with Real Madrid, while in the Champions League they seek to win in London and hope injured players will return to form.
Upon entering Camp Nou today, Laporta said it felt like returning to the future, recalling legendary moments from the past while seeing a brighter future ahead. He added that the stadium has become a jewel of architecture and that he has visited since childhood, promising more legendary moments ahead.
Laporta explained that the stadium's ongoing transformation would triple revenues compared to previous figures and that the investment has reignited the club. Investors are pleased to see a tangible, modern home that strengthens sponsor relationships and secures Barça's ongoing competitiveness.
With matches planned for 45,000 fans, the club expects to meet its budget of €1.025 billion; when capacity rises to 62,000, things should proceed smoothly, and terms with investors will be fulfilled.
Regarding the possibility of hosting the Champions League final in 2029, Laporta said that playing and winning the final with Barça is the ultimate goal; the new Camp Nou—the largest in Europe—will be highly sought after, but his real focus remains league and cup matches and playing as if at home.
He noted discussions with UEFA about playing some league Champions League games at Camp Nou, pointing to the stadium's beauty and confidence in achieving it after having to play in Montjuïc out of necessity.
Laporta imagines Camp Nou at full capacity (105,000 fans) with a spectacular opening and even hopes for a Messi tribute; of course, any decision depends on whether he remains president after the next elections. He would love to organize a Messi appearance at the stadium’s opening.
In another note, Laporta spoke about summoning the young star Lamine Yamal to the Spain national team, calling it a great honor and praising Yamal as world-class; while he believes World Cup qualification is nearly assured, he stressed the need to manage playing time to avoid pressuring the coach.
In closing, Laporta accepted criticisms but framed the return to Camp Nou as a return to the future. He insisted the revival was planned, budgets restored, financing secured, and the stadium rebuilt on time. There is a long road ahead, but the current reality is bright, and Barça intends to stay at the top.
And now, a couple of light-hearted lines to close: If Barça's turnaround were a sniper shot, it hit the bullseye and winked at you. And if Messi makes a cameo in the opening, the stadium might need a wardrobe change—for the fans, not the players; the only thing louder than the cheers could be the cash register.
