Barcelona President Laporta Shuts the Door on Messi’s Return

By AFP | Translated and Adapted by sportsnewswebsite | November 12, 2025

Laporta Confirms No Comeback for Messi as a Player

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has officially ruled out any possibility of Lionel Messi returning to play for the club, closing the door on speculation following the Argentine’s recent surprise visit to the Spotify Camp Nou.Speaking to Catalunya Radio on Wednesday, Laporta clarified that while Barcelona is preparing a major tribute for its legendary star, fans should not expect Messi, now 38 years old, to make a professional comeback.“Things didn’t end the way we all wanted,” Laporta admitted. “If this tribute can somehow make up for that, it will be something beautiful. But with all due respect to Messi and the club’s members, I believe any talk of his return as a player is unrealistic.”

A Farewell, Not a Comeback

Messi, who left Barcelona in 2021 due to the club’s financial crisis, joined Paris Saint-Germain before moving to Inter Miami. Despite his departure, his emotional bond with the Catalan club remains strong.After his surprise visit to the still-under-renovation Camp Nou, Messi posted on Instagram that he wanted to “return to the stadium, not just to say goodbye as a player.”In an interview with Sport on Tuesday, the 2022 World Cup champion reiterated his wish to live again in Barcelona, where his family spent over two decades.Laporta added:“I didn’t know he was coming, but Camp Nou is his home. His visit was spontaneous, friendly, and deeply touching.”

Barcelona Plans the ‘Biggest Tribute in the World’

Laporta revealed that the club is already working on organizing the largest tribute event in football history to honor Messi once the Camp Nou renovation is complete.“We want Messi to receive the greatest tribute in the world — in front of 105,000 fans at the new Camp Nou,” Laporta said.

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