FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta has dismissed the idea of Lionel Messi returning to the club, calling it “unrealistic.”
The 38-year-old Argentine legend made a surprise visit to Camp Nou on Sunday, where he told fans he hoped to “return one day, not just to say goodbye as a player, as I never got to do.”
Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and Barcelona’s all-time leading scorer, left the club in 2021 after two decades due to financial difficulties that prevented his contract renewal.
“Out of respect for Messi, the club professionals, and our members, I believe it’s not appropriate to speculate on something unrealistic,” Laporta told Catalunya Radio.
Laporta, who was also president when Messi departed, said he had no regrets about the decision, emphasising that “Barca is above everything.”
He added that the club plans to honour Messi’s legacy with a tribute match once the new Camp Nou is fully reopened.
“Things didn’t end the way we wanted, but if this tribute can make up for that, it would be a good thing. He deserves the greatest tribute in the world, right here before 105,000 fans,” Laporta said.
Laporta described Messi’s recent visit as a “spontaneous” gesture of love for Barcelona. The Inter Miami star is currently in Spain with the Argentina national team ahead of a friendly against Angola.
