Lionel Messi might just receive one of the highest honors in the beautiful game’s history if ongoing FC Barcelona rumors are true. Recent speculations suggest that the Spanish giants are considering paying tribute to the Argentine maestro, widely considered to be one of the best footballers to ever put foot on the field, for his immeasurable services to the club by renaming their newly renovated stadium after him.
Report suggests Barcelona’s Camp Nou will be renamed after Lionel Messi
According to updates from the Catalan press, FC Barcelona is eyeing to honor former player and club legend Lionel Messi by adding his name to their stadium’s moniker. (via Marca)
Currently referred to as the Spotify Camp Nou, the proposed plan is to add the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s name to the arena’s title and rename it to ‘Spotify Camp Nou Leo Messi.’ In addition, club president Joan Laporta has also shared possible plans for the construction of a statue, dedicated to Barcelona’s all-time top scorer, to eventually take place outside the stadium.
The news regarding the potential renaming of Barcelona’s stadium comes after Lionel Messi surprised everyone by secretly visiting the recently opened Camp Nou. The World Cup winner took to Instagram to post photos of his unexpected visit to his former home, accompanied by an earnest message to commemorate his return. Notably, this is the first time Messi has set foot in the Camp Nou following his heartbreaking departure from the club in August 2021.
In 17 seasons with FC Barcelona, Lionel Messi reshaped football by breaking all kinds of records. Messi recorded a whopping 672 goals and 303 assists in 778 games with the team, winning four Champions League titles, 10 Spanish league titles, as well as countless individual accolades.
The Camp Nou, on the other hand, is currently undergoing a long-overdue renovation. After preliminary work began in 2022, the stadium officially closed down in 2023, with initial plans setting a 2024 re-opening date. However, due to consistent delays in the process, fans can expect Camp Nou to open its doors sometime in 2026.
