FC Barcelona may have lost all hope of signing Lionel Messi, but they want to ensure that the Argentine genius remains linked to the club beyond his career.
There is open talk of a tribute to Messi, which would allow him to say goodbye to his fans. According to Sportthis will not be done before the final stages of 2024, because FC Barcelona would prefer to do it at Camp Nou rather than at Montjuic.
It is also possible that he will return to inaugurate the completed Camp Nou, planned for 2026. None of this was discussed with Messi, nor the fact that FC Barcelona want him to be part of the club when he will retire, in one role or another.
The Blaugrana were grateful for his words of affection towards the club during his Ballon d’Or press conference, but any tributes may have to wait until then at the earliest. Tensions between Messi and president Joan Laporta, whom he accuses of being behind his unwanted departure from the club, persist. The two men did not speak to each other during the Ballon d’Or presentation and Messi reportedly refused a photo with Laporta and his partner Aitana Bonmati.
Laporta’s tenure at Barcelona ends in 2026, when there will be new elections for the position, although Laporta recently hinted that he would run for the position again. A new president might have a better chance of facilitating negotiations.
