FC Barcelona’s leadership, led by President Joan Laporta and Sporting Director Deco, has officially confirmed to media that club legend Lionel Messi, currently at Inter Miami of MLS, will have a farewell match to honor his remarkable legacy at the club.
The said farewell match will be organized by the club management at the newly named Spotify Camp Nou after its latest round of renovation.
Messi’s rather unexpected departure from the club in 2021 to join Ligue 1 side PSG left both the player and fans in tears. Messi was left in tears in his press conference when he confirmed his change of club.
As a young talented prodigy, the seven times Ballon d’Or winner had played his entire club career for team Barcelona before he had to leave for another club in another league as unforeseen Financial Fair Play issues threw a wrench into the plans of him retiring at the boyhood club.
Barcelona fans were excited for a Messi return to the club as rumors swirled that he might return to wear the Barca colors once his two-year deal with Paris Saint-Germain concluded this summer. Despite receiving tempting offers, including a lucrative one from Al-Hilal in the Middle East, Messi chose a new adventure and signed with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS).
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Deco, speaking to the Brazilian football newspaper Lance!, unequivocally confirmed a “farewell game” for Messi once the iconic stadium is ready for the grand occasion.
Deco praised Messi’s monumental impact, stating, “He will always be the biggest idol in the club’s history. The club had great idols, like [Johan] Cruyff, Ronaldo – but he is perhaps the greatest of them all.”
President Laporta also shed light on the much-anticipated event during an appearance on El Mati de Catalunya Radio. He enthusiastically shared two possible dates, with one suggestion being the opening match at the renovated Spotify Camp Nou in June 2026.
“We would like and hope that it can be done,” he stated.
One thing is certain that if and when Messi returns to the Camp Nou field one final time, it will be a touching and emotional moment, not only for Barca supports and Messi fans, but for all football lovers around the world.
