Barcelona president Joan Laporta said on Wednesday that it was “unrealistic” to “speculate” about star Lionel Messi’s return to the club as a player.
In an interview with Radio Catalunya, Laporta was asked about Messi’s message after his visit to Camp Nou on Sunday (9th), and Laporta reiterated that he would like to organize a “tribute” to the Argentine genius, but that Barcelona fans should not expect their favorite player to return as a player.
“Things didn’t end the way we had hoped. If this tribute can somehow make up for what we couldn’t do, I think it’s good. However, although I have a lot of respect for Messi and all the professionals and members of the club, I don’t think it’s realistic to speculate[about a possible return as a player],” he explained.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, who voluntarily left his former club in 2021 due to financial reasons and signed with PSG, said on Instagram on Sunday that he “want to return” to the Camp Nou “not only to say goodbye as a player”.
Furthermore, in an interview with newspaper Sport on Tuesday (11th), he commented on his desire to return to Barcelona after making a surprise visit to the mythical stadium, which is still under construction, on Sunday evening.
“I didn’t know he was coming, but Camp Nou is his home. I think it was a great initiative, small and spontaneous,” Laporta said.
The president assured that the club is “working” to ensure that Messi “wins the most beautiful honor in the world” in front of “105,000 spectators” once the Camp Nou renovation is complete.
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