Inter Miami Owner Jorge Mas Vows to Help Lionel Messi Play Farewell Match at Camp Nou
Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas has expressed his commitment to assisting Lionel Messi in playing a farewell match at Camp Nou. Barcelona had shown interest in re-signing Messi this summer after his departure from Paris Saint-Germain, and Messi had publicly stated that Barcelona was his desired destination in Europe. However, due to registration concerns, Barcelona was unable to offer guarantees to Messi, leading him to join Inter Miami instead.
Mas clarified that Messi would not be joining Barcelona on loan but suggested the possibility of participating in a farewell fixture, such as the pre-season Joan Gamper Trophy exhibition match, once Camp Nou reopens. Mas shared his thoughts on the matter during an episode of the podcast “Offside with Taylor Twellman.”
“This is my personal opinion, and I’m speculating. I want to caveat that,” Mas said. “I don’t know if it’s some type of friendly or farewell game. They have this Gamper Trophy they play for in the summer. But there will be something where, hopefully when the new Camp Nou is open because their stadium there they will not be playing in for the next year and a half, hopefully Lionel Messi can say his proper goodbye.”
Mas emphasized that Messi’s farewell match would not involve him playing for Barcelona on loan. However, he believes that Messi deserves a proper goodbye at Camp Nou and is determined to facilitate and support him in achieving that.
Lionel Messi’s tenure at Barcelona spanned from 2004 to 2021, during which he made 778 appearances, scored 672 goals, and won 10 La Liga titles, six Ballons d’Or, and four Champions League titles. In 2021, Messi bid an emotional farewell to Barcelona and joined Paris Saint-Germain after a new contract agreement with Barcelona fell through due to La Liga’s salary cap rule.
Camp Nou is currently undergoing renovations to increase its capacity to 105,000. As a result, Barcelona will play their home games at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys starting from the 2023-24 season. President Joan Laporta initially aimed to have the team back at Camp Nou for their 125th birthday in November 2024 but later revised the timeline to December.
The potential farewell match for Messi at Camp Nou would serve as a fitting tribute to his remarkable career at Barcelona. Mas’s commitment to helping Messi achieve this highlights the respect and admiration that the football world holds for the Argentine superstar.
In conclusion, Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas has pledged to do everything in his power to assist Lionel Messi in playing a farewell match at Camp Nou. Despite not being able to join Barcelona on loan, Messi deserves a proper goodbye at the club where he achieved immense success and left an indelible mark. Mas’s determination to facilitate this farewell match demonstrates the high regard and appreciation for Messi’s contributions to the sport. As fans eagerly await the reopening of Camp Nou, they hope to witness Messi bidding a fond farewell to the iconic stadium that served as his home for many years.