Barcelona Plans Lionel Messi Statue at Revamped Camp Nou
Barcelona is set to honor its legendary player, Lionel Messi, with a statue outside the iconic Camp Nou stadium. Club president Joan Laporta confirmed during a book event that discussions about the statue’s design are underway. As Barcelona prepares to unveil a partly refurbished Camp Nou this month, the club looks to celebrate Messi’s remarkable contributions.
Messi, now 38 years old, is the club’s all-time leading scorer, netting 672 goals during his time with the first team. His impressive tally includes winning 34 trophies for Barcelona, such as 10 La Liga titles and four Champions League titles. Laporta emphasized the importance of the statue, stating, “We, as Barca fans, would love the fact of having a statue to honor Lionel Messi in the new stadium, where all Barca legends lay.”
Refurbishing Camp Nou and Honoring Legends
The statue’s concept was initially proposed during Barcelona’s annual general meeting in 2021. Laporta indicated that the club would finalize the design before making a formal proposal to Messi and his family for approval. This aligns with Barcelona’s efforts to revamp its storied home, which has not undergone significant updates since May 2023. The new stadium will open its doors partly refurbished this month.
Barcelona has previously honored its legends with statues, including those of Laszlo Kubala, who scored 194 goals for the club and won four league titles, and Johan Cruyff. The addition of a Messi statue would symbolize not only his achievements but also his lasting legacy within the club’s history.
A Glimpse into Messi’s Journey
Following his departure from Barcelona at the end of his contract in the summer of 2021, Messi played for Paris Saint-Germain for two years before making a move to Inter Miami in 2023. His exit marked the end of an era for the Catalan club, which had to navigate the challenges of his transfer, a move that shocked fans worldwide.
The planned statue represents more than just a tribute; it is a recognition of Messi’s extraordinary impact on Barcelona and football as a whole. As anticipation builds around both the statue and the revamped Camp Nou, fans remain hopeful for the day they can pay homage to one of the greatest players in the sport’s history.
