JAKARTA - Barcelona president, Joan Laporta, has asked UEFA to allow his team to play the Champions League opener off home because Camp Nou is still not available.
The first round of the Champions League group stage will be played on 16-18 September 2025.
However, Barcelona has not been able to return to Camp Nou. They have spent the last two seasons playing at the Olympic Lluis Company when Camp Nou was being renovated until now.
"What we ask UEFA for is to allow us to play our first game outside the home."
"The draw will be carried out on August 28, 2025 and we'll see. I hope UEFA allows us to play outside the cage."
"Our relationship with UEFA is getting better," Laporta told El Mundo Deportivo.
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The original plan was to return to Camp Nou in November 2024, but it continued to be postponed. Later, Barcelona gave an announcement that they would return to Camp Nou on August 10, 2025, to fight for the Joan Gamper Trophy.
However, it turns out that their historic stadium has not yet been used. In the aftermath, they moved the tournament to the Estadi Johan Cruyff on the grounds of licensing issues related to the reopening of the stadium.
Although Laporta was unable to give an exact date when the team would return to Camp Nou, he stressed that it must occur in the 2025/2026 season to fulfill their financial commitments.
"We are considering the possibility of returning (next season). All the budgets we have compiled for next season and all the commitments we have based on the finance contract are based on the return to Camp Nou."
"We have to start all over again. We are used to dealing with complicated situations, but we always hope that when the time comes, the situation will be calmer."
"Here, we have to always be vigilant and pay attention to any unexpected events that may arise."
"However, our logic is that we will be able to return to Camp Nou as soon as possible. Thus, fulfilling all the budgets in our financing contract with Goldman (Sachs) (Financial advisors)," said Laporta.
Meanwhile, Laporta reaffirmed its desire for the club's all-time leading goalscorer, Lionel Messi, to attend the renovation of the renovated Camp Nou.
However, he admitted that he had not spoken to Messi or the player's representative about this.
Since Messi left Barcelona as a free agent in August 2021 due to the club's financial crisis, talks have emerged about a tribute match for the Argentina captain and Inter Miami.
"We always say it at the end of Leo's (Messi) tenure at Barcelona. The best thing is to inaugurate the new Camp Nou with respect to Leo Messi."
"I'm sure his family has been informed, even talked about, and that's something we want to do."
"However, it also depends on Leo and his family. I hope so. It will be very fun," said Laporta.
Barcelona, who won La Liga last season, will play their three opening league games - against Mallorca, Levante, and Rayo Vallecano - at home to opponents.
The Catalan team will wait until September 14, 2025 to play at Camp Nou as they face Valencia.
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