Barcelona VP confirms the club intends to dedicate a statue to Lionel Messi – ‘We are already planning’ | OneFootball

It is no secret that Joan Laporta and Lionel Messi do not share the best of relationships after how the president went back on his word to renew the latter’s contract and ultimately paved the way for the legend’s departure from the club in an anti-climactic fashion.

While the club president has come out on numerous occasions to state that he does not regret his doing as it was a necessity, the Argentine has made his disapproval of Laporta’s presidency very clear on several instances.

This is why the decision to build a statue of Lionel Messi at the new Spotify Camp Nou and organise a tribute, in a way, is the current president’s attempt to rebuild goodwill with the former player, although it remains unclear if either will come to fruition.

Barcelona VP provides an update

Barcelona’s vice-president, Elena Fort, recently faced the media and was asked about the proposed tribute to Lionel Messi at the renovated Spotify Camp Nou that Joan Laporta has been talking about.

After all, the club legend left the club under very poor circumstances and never got the farewell he deserved at the club.

“Leo Messi can have a tribute at the Camp Nou whenever he wants,” Fort said as quoted by El Larguero.

Barcelona plan to honour Lionel Messi. (Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images)

She then commented about the plan to build a statue of the Argentine talisman at the stadium and confirmed that it was under serious consideration.

“We’re already planning to build a statue of him.”

Messi recently arrived at the Spotify Camp Nou to revisit the stadium where he grew up and wrote history.

His visit was unexpected, and it only goes to show the immense love and respect he holds for the club despite how matters ended.

His relationship with Laporta being rocky, however, is understandable, and it remains to be seen if he is willing to return to the stadium for a tribute under his presidency.

While fans are desperate to see him at the venue again, it is a decision that hinges completely on Messi’s sentiments.