New Delhi: FC Barcelona is planning a grand homecoming for their star player Lionel Messi on the club’s 125th anniversary on November 29, 2024. Initially planned for the newly renovated Camp Nou, the event has been postponed to accommodate the stadium’s reopening in April 2025. The celebration promises to honor Barcelona’s rich legacy and its profound impact on football, with the club making extensive preparations over the years to ensure it is a memorable occasion.
A spectacular celebration will surely commemorate their anniversary serving as a worthy homage to Barca’s illustrious past. The planning of the main event has been in progress for many years and the club is making all the stops to ensure the event is one to remember. As part of the preparations, they plan to invite the iconic figures of the club to attend the gala including the legendary Lionel Messi.
The Blaugrana hope that the Argentine will attend the event in person as he holds a profound connection with the club. Lionel Messi’s presence would represent a symbolic reconciliation between the club and Messi after his departure in 2021.
However, there is no guarantee that the 37-year-old will grace the event with his presence as his current club Inter Miami could be competing in the MLS Playoffs at that time. In that scenario, Barcelona will surely ask Messi to record a video message to be shown during the gala.
Messi’s return significance
Messi’s return to Barcelona holds immense emotional weight for both the club and the players. Back in 2021 when he announced that he would be leaving the club several people could not believe that while others were heartbroken. Even during his farewell from Barca the Argentine star was moved to tears and could not control his emotions as he reminisced about the memories he had spent at the club over the years.
Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona faces the media during a press conference at Nou Camp on August 08, 2021 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
The 37-year-old striker joined the Barca’s famed La Masia academy at the age of 13. Messi rose to great heights and even became one of football’s greatest players having scored 672 goals in 778 appearances and securing 34 trophies during his 17 illustrious career at the club.
His departure in 2021 was bittersweet and fans have been longing to see him back in the Camp Nou even for a short visit. The 125th anniversary event will celebrate the Blaugrana’s success with Messi being the centerpiece of the occasion. The club even congratulated their legendary player on accomplishing 44 trophies.
🏆 Congrats to Leo Messi for becoming the joint most decorated footballer of all time!
44 Trophies. Proud to be part of this incredible story. 🐐💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/ELt30oZxsb
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 20, 2023
During his time at Barca, he held an intense rivalry with Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo particularly in the legendary El Clasico matches making him an important part of Barcelona’s footballing history.
With Messi potentially returning to Camp Nou the 125th-anniversary event will be a historic event in the club’s history and for Barca fans marking the return of their beloved legend back to the club where his legacy is cemented rock solid. His homecoming would serve as a poignant reminder of a legacy that transcends football, marking yet another chapter in the story of FC Barcelona and its greatest icon.
Lionel Messi’s return to FC Barcelona is imminent. Find out when and how the legendary footballer will make his historic comeback. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
