Credits: IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

Camp Nou Reopens After 895 Days as Joan Laporta Hints at Lionel Messi Tribute on Inauguration Day

Credits: IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

Barcelona fans returned to their iconic home Camp Nou after 895 days away. The occasion was an open training session which was far from a typical matchday. Yet over 21,000 supporters filled the stands and for them, it was not only emotional but also gave them hope to be back at Camp Nou soon again.

However, they were surrounded by cranes, scaffolding, and construction dust. It was not the old Camp Nou, but the shell of a promise of what’s to come. Barcelona’s temporary exile at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium since 2023 is nearing its end.

The club has only been granted a provisional license which allows just under 27,000 fans. They’re hoping to expand that capacity to 45,000 by late November. President Joan Laporta called the return ‘a historic moment for the club and our people’. He described it as ‘a dream we’ve worked tirelessly to revive’.

🚨 Barça president Laporta: “It would be a beautiful way to inaugurate the Camp Nou, with a tribute to Leo Messi and the stadium full”.

“I would be delighted to hold a tribute match for Leo”. pic.twitter.com/Niz6k2yyc8
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 7, 2025

The supporters may have rejoiced in the return, but the reality remains that the stadium’s transformation which is a $1.7 billion project, is far from complete. The first two tiers of the revamped Spotify Camp Nou are largely finished. However, the upper tier and roof remain under development.

Towering cranes and exposed concrete are visible reminders of the work still ahead. Estimates suggest that the full renovation may extend until 2027. By that time, the venue will boast a capacity of 105,000. It would make Camp Nou to be Europe’s largest football arena.

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Laporta acknowledged that a lot of work remains to be done before official matches can resume. Laporta emphasized that the project aims to create a ‘legacy for future Barça generations’. Even so, he couldn’t give a proper return date saying, “We must review every aspect with all departments before confirming our return date.”

Joan Laporta Promises: Lionel Messi Tribute on Inauguration Day

Amid the emotional return, Laporta reignited the talks of a grand tribute to Lionel Messi once the stadium is fully completed. Speaking to reporters, he said, “It would be a beautiful way to inaugurate the Camp Nou, with a tribute to Messi and the stadium full.”

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He added that such an event would take place only when the ground reaches its full capacity, hopefully around 2026. The tribute, envisioned as a celebratory match, would mark a long-overdue farewell for the Argentine as well as Barcelona legend.

Messi’s departure in 2021 left fans alongside Messi heartbroken and without closure. Laporta said, “If I am still president then, I would be honored to lead that tribute.” The comments were a hint that the timing might coincide with Barcelona’s next presidential elections.

Barcelona

Camp Nou

Joan Laporta

Lionel Messi

Moumita Dutta

soccer

Football writer at The Playoffs. I’ve been obsessed with the beautiful game since I was a kid.. Eventually, I realized I could combine my passion for writing with my love for football, and I’ve never looked back. My favorite part of the job is everything—when you’re doing what you love, even a late-night deadline feels like extra time in a thrilling cup final. Lastly, Lionel Messi is the GOAT.