Lionel Messi‘s representatives have stated that the Argentine star has not been contacted by Barcelona about participating in the reopening ceremony of the renovated Camp Nou stadium. According to reports from RAC1 via Barca Universal, there has been no communication from the Catalan club regarding honoring Messi during the event.
Barcelona is preparing to officially unveil the revamped Camp Nou, which includes the installation of a new roof as part of its ongoing renovation. The club had reportedly planned to pay tribute to Messi, celebrating his remarkable contributions during his long career with the team.
Barcelona’s Intention to Honor Messi After Emotional Departure
Messi spent 21 years at Barcelona, leaving the club in 2021 amid serious financial difficulties faced by the team. His departure to Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer was a deeply emotional moment for both Messi and the fans, who felt they did not get a proper farewell. Barcelona is said to want to offer fans closure through a formal tribute at the stadium‘s relaunch.
Over his tenure at the club, Messi appeared in 778 matches, scoring 672 goals and assisting 303 times. He established himself as arguably the greatest footballer ever, winning 34 trophies with Barcelona out of the 46 he has collected throughout his career. He also holds the record for the most Ballon d’Or awards, having claimed eight titles.
Barcelona Eyes Serie A Attacker as Transfer Plan Advances
Separately, Barcelona is pursuing Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman as a target for the upcoming transfer window. The club reportedly shifted focus to Lookman after failing to secure their primary target, Nico Williams. Atalanta has valued Lookman at under €50 million, and his contract runs until 2027.
Lookman joined Atalanta in 2022 and has impressed with his versatility, being able to operate on both wings and as a striker. His record includes 52 goals and 25 assists in 118 appearances for Atalanta, with a strong 2023 season tallying 20 goals and 7 assists in 40 matches. Barcelona’s management believes that Lookman is an attainable option to strengthen their squad.
Impact and Future Prospects for Barcelona and Messi
The ongoing renovations at Camp Nou represent a major milestone for Barcelona as they attempt to rejuvenate their identity and reconnect with fans after difficult seasons. Honoring Lionel Messi would symbolize respect for one of the club’s greatest icons and help provide closure to supporters still emotional about his exit.
As Barcelona plans their next transfer moves under coach Hansi Flick, the integration of players like Ademola Lookman reflects the club’s effort to rebuild competitively. Meanwhile, the Messi Camp Nou ceremony remains a matter of uncertainty, with the player’s camp waiting for formal contact. The event’s outcome will be closely watched by fans eager to witness a celebration of Messi’s legacy on the home turf he helped define.