On October 8, Beijing time (CET), Pol Ballús, a journalist from The Athletic who covers Barcelona, reported that there have been extensive discussions within the club about organizing a farewell match for Messi.

At the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, Lionel Messi was surrounded by over 85,000 fans and dozens of teammates in tears as he delivered a 10-minute speech on the pitch that moved the entire football world.

For the 39-year-old Messi, it was a dignified farewell and his 208th and final appearance for Argentina. In the early hours of Wednesday, many Barcelona fans across Europe stayed up late to watch their hero receive the farewell he deserved.

As a young player, Messi grew up in Barcelona's La Masia academy, and after his debut with Barcelona, many Barcelona fans became overnight supporters of Argentina's national team.

During Messi's best years at Barcelona, there were criticisms in Argentina that he had failed to replicate his club success with the national team.

Barcelona fans shared the disappointment and frustration Messi felt wearing the sky-blue and white jersey. However, they also celebrated his recent international triumphs. On December 18, 2022, over 10,000 fans gathered at Barcelona's Arc de Triomf, one of the city's landmarks, to celebrate Argentina's World Cup victory in Qatar, led by Messi.

Five years have passed since Messi's emotional departure from Barcelona, yet fans of the club with which he has the deepest ties have still not been able to bid him farewell in the same way Argentine fans did.

The reasons for this – and how the situation might change in the future – are explained below.

Why Couldn't Messi Receive a Proper Farewell at Barcelona?

The main reason was the difficult circumstances of his departure.

Messi arrived at Barcelona at age 13 and, from 2004 to 2021, became the club's all-time leader in appearances (778) and goals (672). However, he left Barcelona during the pandemic, when the club was facing severe financial problems. In August 2021, he tearfully announced his departure at a press conference instead of bidding farewell to fans on the Camp Nou pitch.

This also highlighted that Messi genuinely did not want to leave Barcelona. Club president Joan Laporta stated that due to debts exceeding 1 billion euros, the club struggled to comply with La Liga's financial regulations, forcing Messi to leave. This also damaged Messi's relationship with the club's leadership, especially with Laporta.

Pandemic restrictions also prevented fans from paying Messi the tribute he deserved at the stadium. Furthermore, Messi was not retiring from professional football at that time – he later joined Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent.

Have There Been Discussions About a Farewell Match Over the Years?

Yes, and quite a few.

For a long time, Barcelona fans felt they had not had the opportunity to express their love for Messi or properly say goodbye to the club legend. Messi has been playing for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer since 2023.

This became a political issue. This year, during his successful reelection campaign as Barcelona president, Laporta was frequently asked how he intended to repair his relationship with Messi and when a proper tribute to the Argentine could be arranged.

Laporta stated that Messi deserves a farewell match at Camp Nou and expressed a desire to erect a statue of Messi outside the stadium. "This would be very significant – currently, only Johan Cruyff and Ladislao Kubala have statues around the stadium," Laporta said after winning the election in March.

Messi never responded to Laporta's statue proposal, nor has he shown any willingness to repair his relationship with the president who was in office when he left Barcelona.

Instead, last November, Messi appeared at the heavily renovated Camp Nou at night without informing club officials, much to everyone's surprise.

Messi was granted access to the stadium and took several photos, which he later posted on his social media.

"I returned to a place I still miss with all my soul," he wrote in the caption. "Here, I was incredibly happy, and you made me feel like the happiest man in the world. I hope to return one day, not only as a player, but to say goodbye in a way I never could before."

What Is the Main Obstacle to Organizing a Farewell Match?

It is his relationship with Laporta.

The tension between the two has persisted since Messi's departure. In the summer of 2023 – shortly before he decided to move to Miami – Messi's team and Barcelona discussed the possibility of his return as a free agent from Paris Saint-Germain. His father, Jorge, was seen meeting with Laporta in Barcelona, but the seemingly fairy-tale transfer ultimately fell through.

"I really wanted to return, but after everything that happened in 2021, I didn't want to relive the same situation," Messi said in an interview with Spanish newspapers 'Sport' and 'Mundo Deportivo' after announcing his move to Inter Miami.

"I didn't want to put my future in someone else's hands. I felt that La Liga had approved my return in terms of Barcelona's spending capacity, but there were other unresolved issues. I felt they had to sell players and free up salary space. I didn't want to relive that situation, to be put in that position again."

These words were clearly a veiled jab at Laporta and his board – the same people who, years earlier, had to let Messi leave due to financial difficulties. Just months after Messi's departure, Barcelona invested heavily in new signings, such as Ferran Torres from Manchester City in January 2022 for an initial transfer fee of 55 million euros, which upset those close to Messi.

So, Will He Receive a Farewell Match?

I believe so.

Messi has expressed a desire to bid farewell to Barcelona fans, and Laporta has repeatedly stated that the club's doors are always open to the legendary forward whenever he feels the time is right.

"We told Messi that we hope to pay him tribute once Camp Nou is completed," Laporta said at a club members' assembly last month. Barcelona plans to fully complete the long-delayed stadium renovation before the 2028-29 season begins.

"We will only do this if he himself wishes it," Laporta added. "In 2023, Messi had the opportunity to return for a season, but he chose to take on another challenge. We would be very enthusiastic about paying him a proper tribute, and I hope to see him soon."

This will require both parties to set aside past grievances for a greater good. After winning Barcelona's election, Laporta's term as president should last until 2031. Under club statute, he cannot be reelected.

Much will also depend on Messi's other commitments, including whether he continues his career with Inter Miami. In October 2025, the club announced an extension of his contract through 2028.

Meanwhile, Messi has recently ventured into football club ownership, acquiring stakes in two Spanish clubs: Cornellà, which plays in the fifth division, and Eldense, which competes in the second division.

The acquisition of Eldense is still awaiting approval from Spain's Higher Sports Council, but Messi appears to be planning his life after retirement.

Tradotto dall'IA.

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