Lionel Messi

Barcelona Plan To Build Messi Statue At Camp Nou

FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta announced on Thursday that the club intends to build a statue of legend Lionel Messi outside the Spotify Camp Nou, celebrating the all-time top scorer with 672 goals in 778 matches. Speaking at a book presentation in Barcelona, Laporta outlined plans to honor the World Cup winner who led the Blaugrana to 10 LaLiga titles, four Champions League trophies, and three Club World Cups over 21 years.

“Messi will always be linked to Barca, he knows that the doors are open for him. We have absolute respect for him, he deserves the best tribute,” Laporta said. “He should have a statue at Spotify Camp Nou, like (Johan) Cruyff and (Laszlo) Kubala. He is one of those iconic players who have left their mark on us. We have discussed it at a meeting and are working on it. The family must agree, and all Barca fans would want it.”

Messi, now 38 and with Inter Miami until 2028, visited the Camp Nou on Sunday for the first time since his 2021 exit, touring the revamped stadium. He posted on Instagram: “I hope to return one day, and not just to say goodbye as a player.” Laporta called a playing return “unrealistic” but vowed “the most beautiful tribute in the world” when renovations conclude.

Barcelona Plan Lionel Messi Statue At Renovated Camp Nou.

The Camp Nou, shut for nearly 900 days, partially reopened Friday with over 20,000 fans at an open training session. Barcelona plan home games after the international break, with Messi’s statue to join Cruyff and Kubala, cementing his legacy.