Barcelona president Joan Laporta addressed several current aspects of the Catalan national team in a week marked by the controversy caused by Leo Messi’s surprise visit to the Camp Nou and the dismissal of Lamine Yamal from the Spanish national team. Barcelona’s boss gave an explanation on Catalan Radio. Regarding Messi’s visit to Camp Nou, the president explained: “I didn’t expect him to come, but Spotify Camp Nou is his home. I think it was a good explosion when they explained what was going on. He had finished dinner and wanted to come with some friends.” “It is natural that Leo should have the most beautiful memorial in the world. We want to do that because once it is finished we can accommodate 105,000 fans. We are working on the memorial, we are committed to seeing the best football in the world, and we want to give him the tribute he deserves within the framework of the memorial,” concluded the Barcelona president.
Last night I returned to a familiar place. A place where I was so happy, a place where you made me feel a thousand times more like the happiest person in the world. I hope that I can come back someday and not just say goodbye as a player like I couldn’t…
💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/I4yTNSY1fp— Leo Messi (@leomessisite) November 10, 2025
Laporta also admitted that the Argentine star’s departure from the club in 2021 did not happen as expected. Laporta said: “Things were the way they were, not what we all wanted. If in some way, with a tribute, we can redo what we had to do, although not everything we had to do, that would be good. Speculation about a possible return as a player is not appropriate.”
Another big problem for the Catalan team at the moment is that Lamine Yamal will be left out of the Spanish football team’s intensive squad for the upcoming games against Georgia and Turquier due to injury. “We received a response from the doctor who examined him, so we informed them. Our doctor transferred him to the federation’s doctors. That’s how it is. We don’t want any controversy. On Monday, the specialists came and gave him a diagnosis and treatment. Barça They want to get him in the best possible condition and we want to be able to use him. That happened and it coincided with the national team game, but the national team is already progressing quite well,” Laporta said. “It doesn’t hurt the team’s standing and we are doing what we have to do in the interest of Barça,” he declared.
The leader also gave some words analyzing Ramin Yamal’s lifestyle. “I’m not worried at all. He’s a player who has to be protected and helped, but he’s much more mature than any kid his age. At the moment he’s got problems with Pvardzia, but it’s a big credit for him to keep playing. It shows his dedication,” he said.