Barcelona President Joan Laporta has opened up about his fractured relationship with Lionel Messi while confirming a massive tribute is planned for the superstar at the newly renovated 105,000-capacity Spotify Camp Nou.
Barcelona President Joan Laporta has detailed the “painful” financial constraints that forced Lionel Messi’s 2021 departure, citing the club’s refusal to sign the controversial CVC deal.
Laporta emphasized that institutional stability outweighed individual icons, admitting the decision caused him immense sadness.
He stated: “Barça is above players, managers, or presidents, and we couldn’t do it… The amounts in his contract were unaffordable.”
The President also confessed that his personal bond with the Argentine legend is “completely broken” following a cold encounter at a Ballon d’Or ceremony.
Despite this friction, Laporta remains hopeful for a future reconciliation as the club prepares for its return to a full-capacity stadium.
He revealed: “The relationship with Messi is not what it used to be… but he is a legend of Barcelona.”
Looking to the future, the club intends to immortalize Messi with a statue alongside Johan Cruyff once the stadium renovations conclude.
With the 2026 World Cup approaching, Laporta views the reopening of the 100,000-plus seater venue as the perfect stage for a definitive farewell.
He concluded: “Leo deserves a statue at Camp Nou… We believe the right time is when the stadium is completely finished.”