Barcelona, known for its rich football history, is brewing up a grand celebration for its 125th anniversary with a friendly match vs Argentina on a date in 2024 to mark the farewell of Lionel Messi
The latest rumors suggest a potential Lionel Messi return to Camp Nou.
The club is planning a spectacular farewell match for none other than its prodigious son, Lionel Messi. The iconic Spotify Camp Nou, rebuilt in 2019, is expected to witness Messi’s return, not in the familiar Blaugrana colors but as a representative of the Argentina National Team.
Barcelona vs Argentina friendly match and Lionel Messi farewell 2024 schedule, date and venue
Lionel Messi departed the club abruptly in 2021 due to a Bosman trade, a move dictated by the club’s well-documented financial struggles.ย
In the wake of these challenges, Barcelona has strived to generate revenue through player sales and overseas tours, with the latest strategy involving a match against Argentina as part of their anniversary festivities.
Messi has added to his illustrious career. Winning two Ballon dโOr awards, one for the Copa America triumph in 2021 and another for leading Argentina to victory in the 2022 World Cup, Messi’s return to Camp Nou is poised to be a historic and emotional event.
๐๐๐ ๐พ๐๐ฃ๐ฉ๐๐ฃ๐๐ง๐ฎ ๐๐๐ข๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ฃ๐จ๐ฉ ๐ผ๐ง๐๐๐ฃ๐ฉ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ฉ ๐๐ฅ๐ค๐ฉ๐๐๐ฎ ๐พ๐๐ข๐ฅ ๐๐ค๐ช.
๐๐พ ๐ฝ๐๐ง๐๐๐ก๐ค๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐ฃ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ช๐ง๐ง๐๐ฃ๐ฉ๐ก๐ฎ ๐๐ค๐ง๐ก๐ ๐พ๐๐๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ค๐ฃ๐จ 2022 ๐ผ๐ง๐๐๐ฃ๐ฉ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ฉ๐๐๐ข ๐๐ฉ ๐พ๐๐ข๐ฅ ๐๐ค๐ช ๐๐จ ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ฉ ๐ค๐ ๐ฉ๐๐โฆ pic.twitter.com/x2QL3gFX01
— fcbarcelonacollection.com (@memorabilia1899) November 8, 2023
The proposed match is important not only for Messi but also for Barcelona, marking the opening of the revamped Spotify Camp Nou and the initiation of the Espai Barรงa development.ย
The football maestro is rumored to play a half for each team, representing both Barcelona and Argentina, symbolizing the enduring connection between Messi and the club where he spent over fifteen years.
Barcelona, known for its elaborate tributes to legends, is planning an exclusive tifo for Messi, reminiscent of the honor bestowed upon Xavi in 2015.ย
This time, the gesture is expected to be grander, mirroring the increased capacity of Spotify Camp Nou, set to accommodate 120,000 spectators.ย
President Joan Laporta, despite the strained relationship with Messi, expressed the board’s desire to have the football maestro present at the celebrations. This reunion is seen as an opportunity to mend the sour terms that accompanied Messi’s departure.
๐จ๐ฃ| BREAKING: Barcelona can face currently world champions 2022 argentina at Spotify Camp Nou as prat of the clubโs 125th centenary celebrations in next year 2024. Messi can once again return home. [@memorabilia1899] #fcblive ๐ฆ๐ท pic.twitter.com/rL5ZWlxA08
— BarรงaTimes (@BarcaTimes) November 8, 2023
While it might seem unusual for a club to face a national team, Barcelona has a precedent. In 1999, to celebrate the clubโs centenary, Barcelona played an exhibition match against the Brazilian national team, setting the stage for such unconventional yet iconic events.
Barcelona are expected to get Nike to design a special 125th anniversary, with a patch, and possibly a unique design, like the El Clasico special kit from 2021 or the special fourth kits with the Senyera kits featuring red and yellow colors.
While the date of the 2024 match at the Camp Nou isn’t known, Barcelonaโs first centenary game was played on April 28, 1999. The Catalans faced Brazil XI at Camp Nou in front of 80,000 fans. Barcelona had the likes of Luis Enrique, Pep Guardiola, Xavi, and Patrick Kluivert and on the other hand, Brazilโs golden generation had Roberto Carlos, Rivaldo, Romario, and Ronaldo Nazario.
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