Cancel Returning To Camp Nou, Barcelona Still Holds Honorary Match For Messi

JAKARTA - Lionel Messi has canceled his return to Barcelona, following his decision to join Inter Miami this season. However, Joan Laporta as Barcelona president confirmed that they are still ready to hold a respect match for the star.

This season actually the Blaugrana hopes that Messi can return to Camp Nou after completing his contract with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). However, La Pulga, who is expected to return on a free transfer, turns out to choose Inter Miami as the next destination.

Even though he did not return to Barcelona, Laporta admitted that he had prepared a match of respect for the legend. Laporta did this because he felt Messi's decision to go to Inter Miami would close the player's chances of ending his career in a Barcelona costume.

"We said we understood (the decision) and Barcelona fans also understood it," said Joan Laporta.

Barca will always be home to him (Lionel Messi). I hope he can play well in Miami. I've said that we will work to realize a great respect," Laporta was quoted as saying by 90min on Sunday, July 2.

To realize the respect match for Messi, Laporta plans to hold it in 2025. At that time it was chosen to coincide with the moment of reopening Camp Nou.

Currently, Camp Nou is undergoing renovations for development and Barcelona will undergo at least one season at the Estadio Olimpic Lluis Companys.

"We have to remember the memory of an extraordinary player. I hope that will happen when Camp Nou reopens (2025)," Laporta said.

Laporta previously said that he had thought of an opportunity to bring Messi back to Barcelona. But the salary structure is still not ideal, including the possibility of having to let go of a number of players and cut other players' salaries to bring in La Pulga is an obstacle.