Lionel Messi, the eight-time Ballon d`Or winner, departed Barcelona in 2021 when his contract ended and couldn`t be renewed due to financial constraints. He subsequently spent two seasons playing for Paris Saint-Germain in France.
Now aged 38, Messi is currently playing for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer in the United States, a move he made in 2023. At this stage of his career, a playing return to Barcelona is considered unlikely.
Despite this, a special exhibition match is being planned to allow Messi one final appearance at the Camp Nou, which is currently undergoing extensive renovation and modernization.
A Barcelona official confirmed these plans, stating that the tribute is a certainty. “Leo Messi`s tribute at Camp Nou must take place when the stadium is 100% finished. It will definitely happen because he is the best player in Barca`s history,” the official remarked when discussing Messi`s potential involvement in the stadium`s grand reopening.
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Looking ahead, Barcelona`s pre-season schedule includes a tour of Asia, followed by the traditional Joan Gamper Trophy match on August 10th. This fixture, possibly against Cesc Fabregas`s Como, is anticipated to be the first game held back at the newly renovated Camp Nou stadium.
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Regarding potential player acquisitions, such as target Nico Williams, the official commented on the squad building efforts: “We`ll have the best team in the world, which in my opinion is the current one, and the sports department is working to ensure that all the players they want are there. We`ll explain who we`ll be playing against soon.”
Rupert Caldwell 
Tristan Blackwood