Laporta speaks out about the Camp Nou: deadlines, licenses, Champions League and the tribute to Messi

Published New:25/07/2025 - 16:18h

Updated New:25/07/2025 - 16:53h

The president of Barça spoke clearly: progress of work, legal obstacles, pressure on Limak and the dream of reopening with Messi

The president of FC Barcelona, Joan Laporta, gave an exclusive interview to Mundo Deportivo in which, beyond talking about the Nico Williams case, the interest of the azulgrana team in Luis Díaz and the arrival of Marcus Rashford as a possible star incorporation to reinforce the left wing, he also had the opportunity to talk about other topics of great interest to Barcelona fans.

In this sense, the azulgrana president took the opportunity to address the issue of returning to the Spotify Camp Nou, a topic about which he spoke at length.

Why Barcelona will not return to the Camp Nou for the 2025 Gamper

Laporta explained the details behind the non-return of Barcelona to the mythical stadium for the dispute of the Trofeo Joan Gamper 2025, scheduled for August 10 and which, in principle, was expected to be played at the Camp Nou. Even Jan himself had starred in an audiovisual material in which it was taken for granted that the club would return to its usual home on that date:

"We had the information that the corresponding licenses would arrive in a timely manner. In fact, the building permit, the activity permit, arrived, and the one that did not arrive was the first occupancy permit. In my speech in the Barcelona Senate, I said that if there are no unforeseen events, we will return for the Gamper. When the announcement of returning was made, I don't know if I said anything. They made me put my hand on the speaker."

The president, 63 years old, gave good prospects for the return to the culé fief this season 2025/26, stressing that the club is working closely with the City Council to overcome legal and technical obstacles:

"Yes, we are going to return to the Spotify Camp Nou when possible, as soon as possible. Now, as always, we are working hand in hand with the City Council to overcome all the obstacles. There is no reproach to the City Council."

He added: "We respect and abide by what they have decided, and our technicians are pushing to return as soon as possible. We have to put criteria, we are acting with the utmost prudence. I see that the City Council is doing its part and we trust that it understands that this is a unique work. The mayor has even told me that this work has a very important impact on the city."

Phased plan to meet deadlines and advance the work

Jan indicated the plan designed to meet the established deadlines and avoid another stumble like the Gamper: "We have agreed on three sub-phases so that each of them meets some volumes of work that are in accordance with the established deadlines and that, in some way, we do not have the obstacles that we had when it was planned to return on August 10."

He also highlighted the intense pace of the works and the involvement of the Turkish construction company Limak: "The works are going at a frantic pace. Anyone who passes by the work can see it. The construction company Limak is giving it everything, our technicians and the City Council too. Here, among all, in a coordinated manner and complying with the law, I think we will have the joy of returning to the Camp Nou. I don't know when, but as soon as possible," he added.

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— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es) June 25, 2025

Why the City Council did not approve the first occupancy license

Laporta pointed out that the City Council's refusal to grant the first occupancy license was due to the evolution of the work plan and the unfeasibility of the sectorization proposal:

"The volume of work executed and the conversations with the City Council led us to review the work plan, and this impacted the established deadlines. We proposed to start the stadium by sectors"

He also detailed: "Other clubs have done it, but the City Council's resolution was very clear: the evolution of the works made it unfeasible to grant the first occupancy license, which is the one that is missing."

Where will Barça play the start of the 2025/26 season?

First, the top azulgrana leader, ruled out the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys (Montjuïc) as the venue for the Barça-Valencia match on September 13 (first home game of FC Barcelona in the 2025/26 season):

"I don't think a concert will be moved at the Estadi Olímpic. We are working on returning to the Spotify Camp Nou. There are alternatives, but they are contingencies that we do not contemplate now."

The azulgrana club asked UEFA to play away in the Champions League to gain time

Laporta also revealed a key request to UEFA:

"We have asked them to allow us to play the first game of the 2025/26 Champions League away from home. The draw is on August 28. I hope they agree. Our relationship with UEFA is getting better and better. I respect Ceferin a lot and I trust them."

The return to the Camp Nou is non-negotiable for this season

In turn, the leader of the culé team was clear about the club's plan: "We do not contemplate the possibility of not returning. All the budgets and commitments we have, based on the financing contract, are made with the return to the Spotify Camp Nou."

Jan added: "We would have to redo everything. We are moving in complicated situations, but we hope that everything calms down. Our logic is to return as soon as possible and comply with what was budgeted with Goldman Sachs."

Why not stay in Montjuïc until the works are finished?

Laporta also made it clear why they will not extend their stay in Montjuïc until the total completion of the works at the Spotify Camp Nou:

"The capacity is reduced. We have broken records, but imagine with 62,000 spectators, we would have invoiced almost double. There is an economic and contractual interest."

The president of the club added: "We have already had a year with less income, although we optimized the Estadi Olímpic to the maximum. It is no comparison with what will be generated at the Spotify Camp Nou."

"It would not make sense to continue one more season in Montjuïc, less when the stadium is so advanced. It is an architectural jewel that will be built while playing, complying with all security requirements."

The idea of reopening the Camp Nou with a tribute to Messi

To close, Laporta spoke of a highly anticipated idea, the return of Leo Messi to Barcelona for a well-deserved tribute: "We have always said it: the most beautiful thing would be to inaugurate the new Spotify Camp Nou with a tribute to Leo Messi. I am sure that the family has received it well. It has even been talked about. It also depends on Leo and his family. I hope so. It would be very beautiful."