Lionel Messi reportedly visited the Camp Nou without informing anyone at Barcelona after the stadium reopened last week after its renovation. The visit marked the Barca legend's first time at the home ground since his shocking exit in 2021.
Lionel Messi visited Camp Nou without any official permission?
As per Mundo Deportivo, sources close to Lionel Messi said that he visited the Barcelona home ground at midnight on Sunday, November 9. His entourage claims that the Argentine icon did not seek permission from club authority or inform anyone prior to his visit. It was a surprise visit from Messi as he decided to stop by his boyhood stadium while on the way to join the Argentina national team at Alicante.
The report further states that Messi was accompanied by his compatriot and Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul, who captured the pictures Messi posted on Instagram today. Meanwhile, Barcelona's official explanation, issued a couple of hours after Messi's Instagram post, claimed the opposite.
Contradicting claims from Barcelona
The Catalans reported that Lionel Messi sought permission from the Limak security staff overseeing the stadium at that time to enter the venue. The security informed the club authorities, who had no problem at his visit. However, Messi's entourage denied such reports, saying no official permission was sought before his visit.
Lionel Messi's exceptional stats for Barcelona
The Argentine icon led the side to a club record 35 titles, while scoring 673 goals and 303 assists in 778 matches across all competitions. In August 2021, Messi was forced to leave the Catalan club after they failed to renew his contract because of financial issues.
When Lionel Messi wanted to return to Barcelona in 2023
In an interview with Argentine journalist Quique Wolff, Lionel Messi revealed that he wanted to make a comeback to Barcelona after his contract with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) came to an end in 2023. He spent two seasons at the French club, but wanted to leave after his contract expired. He said:
“I had the intention of returning to Barcelona and being able to go back to a place I always wanted to be, but it was not possible again. After that, it became a family decision. The fact that we won the World Cup also had a big impact. I was clear that I didn’t want to be at another team in Europe, I didn’t want to go to any of them.”
After his return to the Spanish side, Messi opted to sign for MLS side Inter Miami, where he currently plays. Since then, La Pulga has often expressed his wish to return to the club in one way or another as he never had the chance to say goodbye to the fans.