Barcelona president Laporta reveals Lionel Messi tribute match hopes

Barcelona president Joan Laporta on Friday confirmed his hopes that the club can hold a tribute match for the legendary Lionel Messi as part of the Spotify Camp Nou’s grand reopening.

The Barcelona faithful were treated to a special showcase this morning, in Catalunya’s capital.

Amid ongoing efforts towards opening the newly-renovated Camp Nou for matchday action, Hansi Flick’s squad took part in an open training session in front of 22,000 fans.

During as much, the aforementioned Joan Laporta took the opportunity to speak to the Blaugrana’s supporters.

And one round of quotes laid out by the Spaniard have since turned heads across the La Liga landscape and beyond.

This comes with Laporta having confirmed:

“It would be a beautiful way to inaugurate the Camp Nou, with a tribute to Leo Messi and the stadium full. I would be delighted to hold a tribute match for Leo.”

Any such outing, in the case of coming to fruition, would actually mark something of a surprise.

Messi and Laporta are widely understood to remain on poor terms, with the former having not yet forgiven the Barcelona chief for his role in the Argentine’s abrupt departure back in the summer of 2021.

Conor Laird – GSFN