JAKARTA - Barcelona president, Joan Laporta, plans to establish a statue of Lionel Messi at Camp Nou as part of the respect he wants to give to the legendary player.
The 38-year-old made a surprise visit to Camp Nou on Sunday, November 9, 2025, local time, before joining the Argentina squad in Spain.
He uploaded a photo on social media with a statement saying that he hopes to return to say goodbye which he never said as a player.
"Messi deserves respect at Camp Nou, the most beautiful stadium in the world. Together with the Board of Directors and team-mates, we always think that there's more to be done for Messi."
"I think Messi should have a statue at Camp Nou. If (Ladislao) Cuba and (Johan) Cruyff also have a statue (outside Camp Nou), I think it would be fair if Leo had his own statue."
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"He is one of the iconic players who has marked an era for all of us," Laporta said on Friday, November 14, 2025, local time, at the launch of a book about La Masia, Barcelona's youth academy.
The eight Ballon d'Or winner left Barcelona as a free agent in August 2021 due to the financial crisis at the club.
The Argentina captain has won a record 34 titles in 21 years with Barcelona.
Due to the Covid-19 restrictions that took effect at the time, the Barcelona record holder and goalscorer could not say goodbye properly.
Messi, whose relationship with Laporta cooled after his departure, admitting in a recent interview that he did not leave Barcelona as he dreamed of.
Therefore, the proposal to make the statue was deemed appropriate to pay tribute and at the same time invite Messi to Camp Nou for a real separation.
"We're working on it (Messi statue), the family has to agree. When the time is right and we have the design, we'll apply."
"We would be very happy, all Barcelona fans will be delighted to have the Leo Messi statue where major figures in Barcelona's history are," Laporta said.
Messi, who joined Inter Miami in 2023 after leaving Paris Saint-Germain, recently signed a contract extension to extend his stay at the Florida club until the end of the 2028 MLS season, when he was 41.
The Argentine superstar is eager to return to Barcelona, but not to appear competitive, as stated by Laporta.
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