Leo Messi and the new Camp Nou: a tribute that Barça wants to make real

Published New:12/07/2025 - 00:15h

Updated New:12/07/2025 - 00:39h

FC Barcelona wants to turn the official reopening of the Spotify Camp Nou into a historic night, and to do so, it plans to pay tribute to its greatest legend: Lionel Messi

The inauguration of the Spotify Camp Nou remains a topic that keeps Barça fans on edge. And with good reason, as the Catalan side has already gone two seasons without experiencing action at their historic home.

An exile that is expected to end soon, with the 2025 Joan Gamper Trophy and, in official competition, by mid-September — specifically on the weekend of the 14th — when the Catalans host Valencia CF on Matchday 4 of LaLiga EA Sports.

However, it’s clear that this return to Les Corts will come with certain conditions, particularly regarding capacity. It’s worth noting that, for now, the Spotify Camp Nou is expected to open in this initial phase with a total of 60,000 seats — approximately 57% of its total capacity (104,600).

Barcelona wants to use the Camp Nou reopening to honor Leo Messi

It won’t be until the 2026/27 season that FC Barcelona will hold a full reopening with all renovations completed and maximum capacity restored. A grand event in which, according to sources close to the club, they would try to include one of the greatest legends in Barça history: Lionel Andrés Messi.

Leo Messi celebrating a goal with Barça in the 18/19 Champions League

According to the source mentioned above, Barcelona wants to pay a well-deserved tribute to its player with the most appearances (779), goals (672), and assists (269) in club history, making him part of this reopening event, which would take place in the summer of 2026. A ceremony in which the club hopes to count on the goodwill of the Argentine star to make it happen.

In this sense, FC Barcelona hopes that the reopening of the Spotify Camp Nou, with all renovations fully completed, will be an unforgettable celebration worthy of Leo Messi’s legacy at the club. A tribute where the Rosario-born player would be the undeniable protagonist, but which is also expected to include other legendary players who were part of one of the best Barça teams in history, alongside the 'Pulga'.

The Argentine deserves a farewell that matches his legacy at Barça

For now, it is said that the '10' of the 'Albiceleste' has not yet received a formal proposal from the Catalan club to move forward with the details of the tribute at the Spotify Camp Nou. A necessary tribute that should be one of the club’s top priorities for the future, so that Messi can finally say goodbye in front of the fans — something he couldn’t do after his abrupt departure in 2021.

At that time, Barcelona’s financial problems and issues related to LaLiga’s financial 'fair play' rules prevented the Argentine’s renewal. He left as a free agent and only had the chance to say goodbye to the club he loved during a press conference, surrounded by family, friends, teammates, club staff, and media — in an unfortunate setting marked by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lionel Messi during his farewell from FC Barcelona

Will Leo Messi get his tribute at Spotify Camp Nou?

Will Leo Messi get his tribute at the Spotify Camp Nou? Only time will tell. For now, one thing is clear: the Argentine hasn’t lost an ounce of love for the Blaugrana club, and he has shown on multiple occasions that he continues to follow their current affairs closely.

So, it wouldn’t be surprising if his tribute comes to fruition soon — all in the interest of recognizing his historic career and, of course, mending institutional wounds between him and the club.

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