Who let Lionel Messi into Camp Nou? Reports suggest Barcelona were unaware of superstar’s visit
Lionel Messi made a surprise visit to Camp Nou overnight
Mystery surrounds Lionel Messi’s late-night visit to Camp Nou with reports suggesting Barcelona were unaware the Argentina superstar was intending to drop in.
Pictures surfaced this morning on Messi’s Instagram of his return to the place where he made his name with 672 goals in 778 appearances. It was his first visit since his exit from the club in 2021.
The Argentina star had flown into Barcelona from the United States on his way to the Spanish city of Alicante to join up with the national team ahead of their international friendly with Angola this week.
Just hours earlier, he had scored twice and assisted two more as his Inter Miami side thrashed Nashville 4-0 in the MLS playoffs to advance to the Eastern Conference semi-finals for the first time. They will face FC Cincinnati next.
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Messi asked for permission, according to Barcelona
The official line from Barcelona, who confirmed the news of Messi’s visit two hours after the post was published on Instagram, was that he turned up at the stadium and asked to be let in by security firm Limak, who in turn contacted the club for permission to allow the eight-time Ballon d’Or access.
The obvious question is how the 38-year-old, at around midnight local time, entered the stadium which remains under reconstruction and won’t be completed until late in 2026?
Either way, it’s apparent there remains huge mutual affection between the Spanish champions and their former hero with Messi stating: “Last night I returned to a place that I miss with all my soul. A place where I was immensely happy, where you made me feel a thousand times the happiest person in the world.
“I hope that one day I can return, and not just to say goodbye as a player, as I never got to do…”
Barca responded with a post on X which read: “You’re always welcome at your home, Leo.”
No send-off for Messi, Barca’s greatest ever player
Messi won 10 La Liga titles, four Champions Leagues and seven Copas del Rey with the club in a glittering spell before Barcelona’s financial problems meant he was unable to sign a new contract. His messy exit, and Covid, meant he was not afforded a proper send-off.
He joined Paris Saint-Germain and remained in the French capital for two years before leaving for Inter Miami in 2023.
Messi’s wish for a chance to say goodbye to the Blaugrana faithful will undoubtedly happen, it’s just a matter of when.
Barca president Joan Laporta, whose decisions ultimately led to Messi’s departure, is confident their personal relationship has healed and, speaking at a recent event that saw the club’s supporters allowed in to the revamped stadium to watch a training session, admitted he was keen to stage a tribute game.
“Of course, I would love that,” Laporta said. “It would be a beautiful way to express our gratitude and recognition. Once the stadium reaches its new capacity, we can organise the tribute he and the club truly deserve.
“It would be a great way to open the stadium [when it’s completely finished], with 105,000 packed in and paying tribute to Leo.”