Barcelona president, Joan Laporta has provided a fresh update regarding the club’s plans to honor Lionel Messi, revealing that the long-awaited tribute match is targeted to take place once the renovated Spotify Camp Nou is fully completed.
Speaking during Barcelona’s General Assembly, Laporta reiterated the organization’s firm commitment to granting the legendary forward a grand farewell in front of the supporters. He explained that the club intends to host the event after the stadium construction concludes, provided Messi agrees to participate. The current timeline targets the summer of 2028, coinciding with the expected completion of the Spotify Camp Nou overhaul.
If finalized, the tribute would take place before a crowd of approximately 105,000 spectators – offering Messi the formal send-off he was denied when financial constraints forced his departure in 2021. Laporta also took time to pay tribute to Messi’s late father, Jorge Messi, who passed away in August 2026, remembering him as a pivotal figure throughout his son’s extraordinary career.
Barcelona and Lionel Messi’s unfinished business
Messi’s abrupt departure from Barcelona in 2021 occurred without a traditional farewell match or a packed stadium send-off, as the club’s financial crisis prevented a contract renewal.
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Barcelona management has consistently sought to rectify that unresolved exit. Having previously maintained communication with Messi’s representatives, the club now views the grand reopening of its expanded 105,000-seat home ground as the ideal occasion to host the landmark tribute.
Event Details
- Target Date: Summer 2028
- Venue: Spotify Camp Nou (post-renovation)
- Expected Capacity: ~105,000 spectators
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