Barcelona Debates Messi Stadium Name as Return to Camp Nou Approaches

Barcelona, Spain — The anticipation surrounding the reopening of the Camp Nou after 904 days is reigniting a discussion about whether the stadium should be named after Lionel Messi. The debate gained traction following the surprising visit of the Argentine captain to the renovated venue.

Elena Fort, the club’s vice president, was clear in her stance during an interview with Cadena SER. She firmly rejected the idea of renaming the stadium in Messi’s honor, stating, “In barcelonismo, we try not to personify the facilities too much.” Fort pointed out that previous suggestions to name spaces after key figures, such as the club’s founder, were not accepted by the fanbase.

The Camp Nou will welcome 45,000 spectators this Saturday for a match against Athletic Club. Fort described the renovations as “the most significant private civil work being done in Europe,” and noted the lengthy and complex approval process involving the city government.

Looking ahead, the Barcelona club hopes the stadium will host the upcoming Champions League match against Eintracht Frankfurt on December 9, pending UEFA’s approval. Full capacity is expected to resume by the start of the 2026-2027 season.

Although Fort dismissed the notion of a name change, she assured fans that Messi remains highly regarded within the club. She confirmed that the club is working on a tangible tribute: “We are planning to build a statue of him,” she said, emphasizing that such recognition would depend on Messi’s preference for timing.

Club president Joan Laporta echoed Fort’s sentiments, expressing that Messi “deserves the most beautiful tribute in the world.” As Messi balances his time between the Argentine national team and Inter Miami, the Barcelona team focuses on their return to the Camp Nou and preparing for future institutional elections. The conversation around how best to honor the club’s legendary player is taking shape, with a symbolic tribute planned rather than a name change.