Lionel Messi never got a farewell at Camp Nou. He left Barcelona in August 2021 amid a financial crisis that forced the club to let its greatest ever player walk away, crying at a press conference, without so much as a final lap around the pitch. Now, both FC Barcelona and Inter Miami are in discussions to give him one.
The proposed plan: a tribute match in 2027, once renovations to the Spotify Camp Nou are complete. Messi would reportedly play one half for each club, splitting time between the team that made him and the team that gave him a soft landing in South Florida.
What we know about the tribute match
The discussions center around the Joan Gamper Trophy, Barcelona’s traditional pre-season friendly event. Inter Miami would serve as the visiting club, creating a natural framework for Messi to represent both sides in a single match.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta and Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas have both expressed strong interest in making this happen. Mas has reportedly been committed to facilitating a Barcelona return for Messi since October 2023, well before any formal talks gained traction.
