Lionel Messi‘s legacy as one of the greatest players in football history was largely forged FC Barcelonawhere fans continue to hold him in high esteem despite his abrupt departure. With another tribute match underway, club president Johannes Laporta has now offered new insight into the idea of erecting a statue in honor of the Argentine icon.
With the training of the Argentina national team in Spain, Messi took the opportunity to visit the renovated Camp Nou without informing Barcelona officials. Although his relationship with the current board has cooled, the Inter Miami star openly reiterated his desire to return to the club after his farewell match, a comment that reignited speculation about a future reunion.
Laporta was present at the book presentation of journalist Xavi Torres: “I lived in the farm”, and when asked about Messi’s future at the club, he was unequivocal: “I am sure Messi will remain linked to Barca. If he ends his professional career at Inter Miami, I don’t know what he will do, but he knows that Barcelona’s doors are open to him. I said it the other day: we have absolute respect and admiration for him, and he deserves the best tribute in the world from Barca.”
The president then made a bold claim about the kind of tribute Messi deserves. “In the board of directors, together with my colleagues, we always believe that something more needs to be done for Messi,he said.He should have a statue at Spotify Camp Nou. If (Ladislao) Kubala has one, and (Johan) Cruijff has one, then it would only be fair if Leo also had his own statue. He is one of those iconic players who left a mark on us all”, he added.
Johan Cruyff statue outside the Camp Nou stadium.
When asked by Torres whether the project will really start, Laporta did not hesitate: “We are working on it – his family must of course agree. When the time comes and we have the design for the statue, we will present it to us it. We as Barça fans would love that. I believe every Barcelona supporter would be very happy to see a statue of Leo Messi next to the great figures from the club’s history.”
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Lionel Messi left out in the cold: The untold story of his failed dream comeback at Barcelona in 2023 that left the Inter Miami ace feeling cheated emerges
The past few months have been Laporta has acknowledged that the relationship with Messi suffered after his unexpected departure in 2021. Although Messi has yet to publicly discuss the matter, Laporta appears keen to rebuild the relationship, especially with a presidential election year looming in 2026.
Messi joins two Barcelona legends
FC Barcelona has produced countless icons in the 21st century Carlos Puyol And Andres Iniesta Unpleasant Xavi Hernández and even Luis Suarezthe club’s third all-time top scorer. But among that distinguished group, Messi stands aloneand now appears to be joining two legendary figures who have already been immortalized in images.
The first was Ladislao Kubalawhose impact on the club in the post-war era of the 1950s made him an enduring symbol of Barca’s history. His statue was unveiled on September 24, 2009, during Laporta’s first term as president.
Ten years later, in 2019, Johan Cruyff received his own statue after his death in 2016. In honor of the Dutchman who shaped it Barcelona’s identity as a player and coachthe statue was inaugurated under former president Josep Maria Bartomeu.
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