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FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta wants to give Lionel Messi a proper tribute when the club finally officially opens the new Spotify Camp Nou. In an interview on Friday, he said the idea is to celebrate the stadium’s full reopening with an event that honours the player who defined an era at Barça.
But he explained that this won’t happen before 2026 as the stadium is still under major reconstruction and Messi’s participation depends on his own availability.
Laporta said the tribute is something the club “owes” to Messi after everything he’s done for Barcelona. But for now it’s just an idea — no date, no confirmation and everything depends on the stadium works and the club’s calendar. Once the construction milestones are met and the city gives the green light for full use, the club will be able to plan properly.
What we know about the new Camp Nou
The Camp Nou is being rebuilt as part of the massive Espai Barça project to modernize the whole stadium and surroundings. According to official club documents and Spanish media the new stadium will hold 105,000 fans. The goal is to make it one of the most advanced and energy efficient stadiums in Europe with new seating, hospitality areas and improved access for the fans.
Barcelona will reopen partially in the last months of 2025 with a limited number of spectators while the work continues. The club didn’t give a date — only numbers. The first return, which could be by the end of November 2025, will be 45,401. For that to happen Barça need to get the approval for Phase 1B, which, according to AS, includes the Gol Sud, the main stand, and the lateral stand.
But the club expects to have 62,518 by the end of the year, so the first two tiers, including the Gol Nord and VIP areas, will be finished. For his part, Laporta hopes that this tribute will coincide with the club’s return to its home after years of playing at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.
When the time comes, the ceremony will not only celebrate Messi’s legacy but also the beginning of a new era for both Barcelona and its fans in a brand new Camp Nou.
