Lionel Messi conducted a private tour of the newly renovated Spotify Camp Nou on Sunday, November 9, marking his first time back at the stadium since his tearful exit from FC Barcelona four years ago.
The Argentine superstar, currently playing for Inter Miami, was in Spain ahead of joining the Argentine national team for a friendly against Angola.
The 38-year-old football icon shared his emotions through photographs on social media from inside the under-construction stadium, accompanied by a heartfelt message that resonated deeply with Barcelona fans worldwide.
Messi via IG: “Last night I returned to a place I miss with my soul. A place where you guys made me feel a thousand times the happiest person in the world. I hope one day I return, and not just to say goodbye as a player, as I never got to…”
A Painful Departure and Unfinished Business
Messi’s relationship with Barcelona spans nearly his entire career, from joining La Masia as a teenager in 2000 to becoming the club’s all-time leading scorer with 672 goals in 778 appearances.
His shocking departure to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 came not by choice, but as a result of Barcelona’s severe financial troubles that made a contract extension impossible.
The circumstances surrounding his exit were harrowing for both Messi and the fans.
Due to both the club’s financial constraints and COVID-19 restrictions in place at the time, Messi was denied a proper farewell from the adoring Camp Nou crowd that had cheered him on for 17 glorious seasons.
His emotional press conference, where he struggled through tears while saying goodbye, left an indelible mark on the club’s history.
A tribute game specifically organised to give Messi the proper goodbye he never received, which could serve as the grand reopening of the fully renovated Camp Nou.
Messi’s Historic Achievements with FC Barcelona
