Barcelona are reportedly planning a grand ceremony featuring former talisman Lionel Messi to mark their return to the Nou Camp.
The Blagruana have been forced to play away from their historic home since the end of the 2022-23 season to allow for a significant overhaul of the ground, with the extensive renovation work costing more than £1.3billion.
The upgrades include the completion of the new third tier, a dual VIP ring and the installation of a new roof.
Once refurbishments are completed, the Nou Camp will be the single largest sports venue in the entirety of Europe, with a capacity of 105,000.
With the works ongoing, the club have been forced to play their home matches nearly three miles away at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.
Last season Hansi Flick led the club to their first league title since their exile began and preparations for how they will mark their long-awaited return are reportedly well underway.
Barcelona are reportedly planning to honour Lionel Messi in a ceremony to commemorate the reopening of the Camp Nou
Renovation works on the historic stadium have been ongoing since 2023 and are expected to be completed next year
Reports suggest Barca are keen on bringing their former talisman back when the event takes place
The club are expected to return to the Nou Camp for the annual Joan Gamper Trophy exhibition next month, renovations will continue to take place over the coming season.
As such, the full festivities are not scheduled to take place until the renovation is fully complete.
According to a report from Mundo Deportivo, Barca chiefs are planning on featuring Messi as the jewel in the crown of their opening ceremony, with several other club legends also set to appear.
Should the stadium’s roof be installed as planned next summer, the club are reportedly hopeful of staging the event during the 2026-27 campaign.
Despite the proposals however, the report adds that no direct contact has yet been made by the club regarding a potential return to Catalonia for the Argentina captain.
Messi has not been in contact with Barcelona president Joan Laporta since his acrimonious departure from the club in the summer of 2021 amid
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner subsequently opted to remain in Europe, spending two years at PSG before joining MLS side Inter Miami in 2023.
