Barcelona sporting director Deco has revealed that the club intend to host a “farewell game” for Lionel Messi.
Messi is inarguably the greatest footballer to ever play for Barcelona, becoming both the club’s all-time top goalscorer – with 672 in all competitions – and all-time top appearance maker – 778 in all competitions – during his 17 years in the first team.
The club were forced to allow to the player to leave in 2021 due to financial issues, with Messi going on to spend two rather mediocre seasons at Paris Saint-Germain following his departure.
Upon the expiration of his two-year deal at the Ligue 1 club, Barca tried to re-sign Messi but were unable to, once again, due to financial constraints. As such, Messi ended up making a move to Inter Miami instead, where he has just finished up his first campaign in MLS – scoring 11 goals for his new club in all competitions.
Without play-off qualification, rumours have circulated regarding a potential loan move back to Europe during the off-season, with Barca being the obvious destination. The legendary forward has since quashed these rumours, however speaking to Lance, Barcelona’s sporting director Deco has revealed that fans can expect to see Messi back in the club’s colours soon enough – just not in a competitive capacity:
“I think there will be a farewell game, but maybe in the new stadium when it’s ready. He will always be the greatest idol in the club’s history. The club had great idols, like Cruyff, and Ronaldo, but he is perhaps the greatest of all.
“He will definitely play a farewell match at Barcelona, but when it will be, we don’t know. He is playing, and hopefully, he will play for more years, because people who love football, those who do, will be happy to see him happy.”
Barcelona are expecting to be be playing at Camp Nou once again in November 2024, with work recently commencing on a renovation of the famous stadium.