FC Barcelona President Joan Laporta reacted to Lionel Messi’s surprise Camp Nou visit, calling it a ‘charming impulse’ and confirming plans for a grand tribute, although he ruled out a player return.
Barcelona President Joan Laporta has responded to reports of Lionel Messi’s surprise visit to the club’s renovated home, the Spotify Camp Nou, on Sunday night, admitting that the Argentine star’s appearance was unexpected even to him.
The club had recently trained at the stadium ahead of their game against Celta Vigo.
According to a report from Mundo Deportivo, Laporta spoke about the visit during an interview with the program El Mati on Catalunya Radio. He described the circumstances of the surprise inspection, saying:
“I didn’t know he was coming, but the Spotify Camp Nou is his home. When they explained to me how it happened, I thought it was a charming impulse—he had finished dinner and wanted to come with some friends. It was an act of true Barcelonism.”
Laporta also reiterated that the club is committed to giving the global icon the recognition he deserves. The president noted plans for a grand tribute, stating: “It is only fair that Leo receives the most beautiful tribute in the world.
When it is ready, we will have a capacity of 105,000 fans, which we hope to fill. We are working on the tribute and on making it possible to see the best football in the world, and as part of the tribute, we would like to offer Leo the recognition he deserves.”
However, Laporta was careful to manage fan expectations regarding a playing return for the veteran: “It didn’t happen the way we all wanted; things happened as they did.
If in some way the tribute can make up for what couldn’t be done, that would be good. But making speculations about a possible return as a player is not appropriate.”